Recent court rulings in some provinces here in Canada have started to move towards holding people that host a house party responsible if one of their guests gets into an accident and are drunk after leaving the party.
Where do I start?
Well, so far they have stayed away from directly putting the blame on the host of the party, but they are not saying that they are safe from prosecution if such an incident occurs. So far you are still safe if it is a BYOB party, but if your serving alcohol, like a cocktail party, then you may be held criminally responsible, in the same way as a bar or club.
This just means that we now have to choose our friends more carefully I guess. We are being told that we have to make sure our guest list does not include someone that will potentially get drunk and get behind the wheel of a car.
Now I am not advocating drinking and driving. I don't even drink myself except for the odd drink once in a while or a hot chocolate with Bailey's before bed sometimes. I find drunks to be obnoxious and not a lot of fun to be around. I generally try to avoid them, unless they genuinely need help, at which point I try and help if I can.
Having said that, I don't think that we have to be judge and jury about someone's state of intoxication at a party that is being held at my home. If someone is visibly drunk, then yes, I will try for their keys. If they refuse, I do try harder and will get forceful about it, but am I supposed to get into a physical altercation over it? Does this not open me up for an assault charge? Am I therefore being asked to choose between an assault charge, and the potential loss of a friend, or criminal liability for the people that attend my gathering?
This is just another way the justice system is screwing up things in this country. First they let the real criminals go, because they didn't think that they should be searched just because they are known drug dealers, and then they turn around and make the rest of the population criminals because we don't have a Breathalyzer in our homes to screen our guests before they leave.
I think it is time for the courts in this country to stop protecting the people that are breaking the laws at the expense of the law abiding people, and start holding the law breakers responsible for their actions.
I have never forced alcohol down someone's throat and made them get in their car and drive home. But according to some of these new rulings, I will be held responsible for the irresponsibility of a person that visits my home and leaves after having too much to drink.
I guess I am going to have to choose my friends more carefully in the future. Thanks to the courts, we are all going to pay for the reckless actions of others. And they call this justice?
Well, I guess that makes it time for the Duck to have the last word on this one.
p.s. I have taken to calling this little duck Natural Selection. And I am sure that Natural Selection is in constant confusion over why it is being circumvented by the stupid people in this world.
