To cure society's ills, get rid of the alcoholics

SOCIETY has a growing problem of alcohol. It is an easily obtainable substance that can prevent the human body from functioning properly. A heavy amount of alcohol can cause blurred vision and impaired judgment. People with drinking problems are dangerous to be around.

Some organizations and government officials have tried to prevent the disasters caused by alcohol. The police pull over those who drink and drive, yet people keep drinking and driving. There is a law to prevent minors from buying alcohol. There was even a constitutional amendment prohibiting alcohol, which did not work out. People found ways to bend the law by making their own spirits, my grandfather's grandmother being one of them.

Today alcohol continues to be sold in stores. Every day there are alcohol-related deaths, whether it be from car accidents or poisoning of one's body. What we need to do is get all the alcoholics in one spot. Since alcohol can be found just about anywhere, they have to go where there is no alcohol -- a deserted island.

With no alcohol, the alcoholics will have nothing on which to feed their desires. The untouched island will be a new start with no detrimental influences. To keep their minds off alcohol, they will learn to play the harp. Practicing this instrument eight hours a day will ensure an alcohol-free mind. Their nutrition will be healthy and effective. Exercise will be another part of their daily routine.

WHEN THE patient has fully recovered, going back to home will be denied. The risk is too great. They might go back to their horrific lives and all the progress would have been for nothing. Instead of going back to their homes, the sober, cured patients could transfer to another island.

This isolated rehabilitation center will get alcoholics out of the way of society. With the alcoholics gone, crimes that are encouraged by alcohol use, such as drunk driving and domestic abuse, will drop dramatically.

Locking up alcoholics only keeps them away from alcohol for so long. By going to the deserted island, they could be cured forever.

SOME PEOPLE might think that forcing alcoholics to learn the harp is a waste of time, but it has many benefits. It is not so much the instrument, but the music. Music should be in everyone's life. By learning music, the patients will gain back the knowledge that their drinking caused them to lose. They will respect their newfound talent for the harp.

This could be a great program, but it needs a lot of funding. The airfare to get the alcoholics onto the island would be expensive, depending on the number of people. The unusual size of the harp would require another plane to transport the instruments to the island, in addition to the cost of the harps themselves. There are many islands, but finding a deserted one and using it could cause some complications. There is the thought of getting the government involved or even buying an island, which again requires money.

As for the maintenance of the island, it would be taken care of by the patients themselves. This is another way of discipline and exercise as well as caring for themselves. Making sure that the patients follow their routines would require many cameras and security.

THE ULTIMATE goal is getting rid of alcohol. First, we need to take baby steps to create a drastic change for the future. Perhaps we could lessen the amount of alcohol being made and as time passes, the production of alcohol could disappear. There are groups to help alcoholics now, but creating even more programs would increase the opportunities for others to get sober. If we could find some way to make the programs more appealing, then more alcoholics would be willing to participate. With a little bit of time and a few changes, the world could be that much better.

Emily Darigo is in the 10th grade at Moanalua High School.

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