"24/7 Sobriety program" is the United State's project to curb alcohol related crimes and now London piloted it too. This program forces problem drinkers to take twice-daily breath tests and pay fines in order to prove they are sober. The tests also can be used as a sentence after alcohol related problems. Amid high opposition and concerns of civilians and experts on the efficiency of the project, the governments are actively enforcing this coercive practice to tackle alcohol related problems for stability and productivity of their society. To keep people sober many similar policies, campaigns and rehabilitation institutes are founded not only in the United States or in London but also in other countries. Getting civilians sober has become one of the important duties for governments as long as individual's sobriety is deeply related with economic productivity and social stability. Getting sober is no longer an individual matter but a social problem. Then, why and how sobriety is important for stable and productive society?
According to the definition of "Sobriety" by Wikipedia, it says "it is the state of being sober, that is, not in an altered state of consciousness, or not under the influence of psychoactive drugs." This means that getting sober maintains people's state psychologically stable and independent. Furthermore, this healthy and constructive mental status brings out stability and high productivity to people. We can see its process by referring to the extract of the old famous guitarist Slash's autobiography. Slash was a famous guitarist in the early 1980's but unfortunately, he was drug addict. On the page 293 of his book, he was delicately explaining how sobriety changed his view on his lover and himself. First, Sobriety cleared off his illusion caused by drugs and made him see an object directly. According to Slash, he says "Once I was sober, I didn't see Megan (his lover) the same way at all.", "With nothing to cloud my vision, it felt like she was a stranger." While he was taking drugs, he perceived Megan in an illusory way. This proves being sober helps drinking people to face reality. Second, Sobriety helped him to be independent and this lead work productivity. In the extract, Slash says "I also didn't have time for the time consuming responsibilities and distractions of a relationship. I was getting back to my old self; I was getting into work mode…". This means people could concentrate on their work and perceive themselves as an independent creature in the state of being sober.
For these reasons stated above getting sober highly influences on people's productivity and stability. Like Slash's case, those who have alcohol or drug problems see objects directly out of illusionary state after being sober. So they can concentrate on themselves and their work. This individual's psychological state contributes to better economic performances and stable societies for their country. This is the reason why many governments and societies are dealing with heavy alcohol or drug offenders seriously. Tackling alcoholics and drug addicts is not easy at all because those substances they intake are strongly addictive. Additionally, sometimes strict crack down or rules do not work amid controversy on effectiveness. However, each administration will not stop to curb heavy drinking and drug addiction as long as civilians' sobriety has become one of the important virtues for country's prosperity and stability.
Well researched. Be careful with relevance. Remember your audience. I am reading a dozen of these paragraphs at 7.00am before I leave for work at 9.00am because students have posted them overnight. I like direct, relevant, pithy and to the point. Don't waste words. Again - good on the research....
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