Monday 3 August 2015

The Bottle Shop Visit!

Katherine Aboriginals, so many have a drinking problem here in the outback of Australia.
So when going to buy a bottle of wine or any kind of Alcoholic drink there are two Police at the bottle shops in opening hours.  My husband needed to make a purchase.  He was asked for his photo ID and where he was going to drink his purchase!  The bottle shop is not open all day.
I guess Katherine the town has a big problem.

We have heard that white people have sold liquor in the past to the Aboriginals in certain areas.


Photo taken through the glass window on my phone.

29 comments:

  1. Does that mean the aboriginals are not allowed to buy alcohol? Native Americans have problems with alcoholism as well. It's takes a terrible toll on Native families and communities.

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    1. They are permitted to purchase Cynthia. I reckon the police would have a few people both black & white who are not to buy..
      Alcohol does do dreadful things for anyone if over indulged. All things in moderation if possible..

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  2. I saw a programme about the drinking problems amongst the aboriginal people, it is a sadness that life holds so little for them.

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    1. Rosemary it's sad. It must be a very long day for the Aboriginals, well some of them. We wonder what they do all day!

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  3. Takes a terrible toll here on whites. So many families ruined with it, so many drunk driving crashes and deaths and so much domestic abuse that is alcohol fueled.

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  4. wow what a strange rules at my place everybody can buy a bottle of alcohol but if you are 18 under 18 is forbidden

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    1. Strange to you Gosia, but it's mainly in the northern part of Australia the problem with the blacks and Alcohol. It can be a problem for whites too all over the place especially alcoholics.
      In Australia in general one goes to a bottleshop and can buy without a hitch, same as Poland..

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  5. Chronic situation really.
    If only you could replace the urge for drink with the
    urge to work and to have work projects in places like
    Katherine.
    Yes, unscrupulous white persons breaking the laws are
    a real problem.
    Colin

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    1. It's a real problem Colin for both black & white people.
      Work! So many people won't work regardless, then there are those that want to work but can't find work....all a vicious circle.

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  6. It is a real issue. As the daughter of an alcoholic I don't think enough is being done to curb excessive drinking in any of our community, indigenous or not. And wonder whether it is perhaps patronising to put measures in place to curb indigenous drinking that are not in place for anyone else.

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    1. Seems strange to me that the only place so far was Katherine with the Police. I believe some other towns here in the north have short opening hours. Haven't yet experienced this personally but through observation only.

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  7. I don't care if you are black or white a drunk is a drunk and do not like drunks of any colour but that's just me.
    Merle............

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    1. I feel the same way. Well said Merle.
      As a Policeman's daughter i have seen many a drunk being put in the lockup when a child.
      It's something you don't ever forget.

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  8. Tempting for the cops to order a cold one.

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  9. Yes I knew that as my parents have been to Katherine it is so sad that so many have a problem with alcohol

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  10. And... where is hubby planning on drinking his alcohol? ;-)

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    1. :) good question...in the caravan park, that was permitted...

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  11. it is a huge problem along with the petrol and aerosol sniffing that sees so many youngsters staggering around as if they were blind drunk. It's a vicious cycle that is extremely hard to break them out of, mostly because there is nothing else to replace it with. Nothing for the people to do or get involved with. I believe there is progress being made though, with a junior football team and making sure children go to school. Hope is certainly on the horizon.

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    1. It sure is a cycle and it's so hard to break that. It's sad they have nothing to do.. Here in Kununurra Metho is kept under the counter at the register.

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  12. It is a sad state of affairs but I'm glad the police are monitoring sales.

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    1. Yes it's good they are doing that...so far it's the only town that the Police do this as far as I know..

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  13. Whoa, I had no idea of there being such a problem with that there.

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  14. Strangely enough, it was the same in Vancouver with local indian people sitting outside the government liquor stores. Pretty sad all things considered.

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    1. Must be a general thing with certain people. Yes, it's sad.

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  15. Margaret, I'm writing an article for The Conversation. I'd like to use your photo of the police in the bottle shop. If this is okay, could you please email me on claire.smith@flinders.edu.au. I'm happy to send you the text in advance.

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