The Bishop of Auckland, the Rt Rev Ross Bay, has welcomed the Law Commission’s report “Alcohol in our Lives, Curbing the Harm” presented to Parliament this week.

Bishop Bay has long carried a concern about negative trends in drinking behaviour among some New Zealanders. He considers the shift to a lower legal age in 1999 has been a big factor in the growing youth alcohol problem.

He therefore supports the return of the legal drinking age to 20 years.

“At the time of the 1999 debate many people foresaw that the lower age would contribute to a developing youth alcohol problem," Bishop Bay says.

"Sadly, those predictions have become a reality. We must act together to protect younger people from the social and health effects of what is an addictive substance.”

Bishop Bay says people working within the social service agencies of the various church denominations would identify the misuse of alcohol as being a large factor in the disintegration of individual lives and the lives of families.

“It is so often the church agencies at the bottom of the cliff tending to trauma caused by alcohol. This report with the range of measures suggested by the commission will help to stem the tide of a problem wreaking havoc across the societal spectrum,” says Bishop Bay.

Although legislative measures on their own will not solve these problems, they will be part of sending a signal to society of the need for a change of attitude.

Bishop Bay hopes therefore that Parliament will take a cross-party approach to any change in legislation rather than relying on a conscience vote. “This is an issue where our MPs as a whole must take leadership for the good of the people of our nation, especially those more vulnerable.”

The Bishop praised the current ALAC television advertisement showing one rugby team member challenging another on his use of alcohol.

“We all have a responsibility to address this issue for the health and wellbeing of our communities and their peoples. Together we can work to bring about the safer use of alcohol in this country,” says Bishop Bay.