I agree with the sentiments shared by Mr Ram Narain Dubey (Onus on family, friends to raise drinking problem with alcoholics ; Feb 6).
In Melbourne, where I lived and worked for more than half a decade, it is compulsory for alcohol licensees - such as restaurant and pub operators - and their staff to have a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certificate.
The objective of the RSA programme is to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to contribute to a safe and enjoyable environment for alcohol consumption. It is open to all interested parties.
The programme covers topics such as blood alcohol content (BAC), BAC legal limits and the different degrees of cognitive impairment that set in when BAC legal limits are breached.
Participants hence appreciate why social ills related to alcoholism - including drink driving, binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence - can be fatal, and understand how they can intervene when they sense their friends or customers are intoxicated.
Offering a similarprogramme in Singapore could complement the existing Training for Intervention Procedures workshops offered by the Association of Bartenders and Sommeliers Singapore, and would fit in well with the spirit of SGSecure in making Singapore a safe home for all.
Woon Wee Min
