Drink, Drank, Drunk

     The Austin Chronicle's article "Who Says You're Drunk?", written by Chase Hoffberger, discusses the TABC-enforced responsibilities of bars to safely serve alcohol to its patrons, ensuring that nobody is "overserved." It highlights the importance of those responsibilities by depicting several instances in which bars  and bartenders have failed to monitor intoxication levels of customers resulting in major accidents, collisions, and even deaths. The article steps back and takes an even broader look at the lack of responsibility on the part of the city who fails to provide any adequate means of public transportation during the late night entertainment hours.

     This article is interesting because many of us have experienced the contradiction of trying to have a fun yet safe night out. I have, in many cases, been served at a single bar to the point not remembering leaving that bar. While I take most of the blame for overdoing it, I also agree with the TABC that the bars and staff should have guidelines to prevent these instances when serving a mind-altering substance. Beyond the doors of the club or bar it is - as previously stated - very difficult to get yourself home safely. Cabs are hard to find and very expensive if you do not reside in the immediate vicinity, and public transportation is spotty at best.  As a result, many of us wind up taking our own vehicles home when we know we really shouldn't have. While I am not pro government intervention I do believe that when such a substance as alcohol is made legal  the government should indeed play a role (other than arresting offenders) in ensuring that the public has the means necessary to consume the substance safely and find their way home. The TABC seems to be on the right track.