Letter: Social districts' 'success' won't help us address ills caused by alcohol abuse

Social districts’ ‘success’ won’t help us address ills caused by alcohol abuse

Ten years ago when I moved to Edenton, the biggest issue on the table was whether there would be a hotdog stand down by the waterfront. In 10 years the venues have changed so much.

As the alcoholic venues began to grow, I asked then Councilman Hackney High in 2020, how changes to them could be made. He said that once venues were approved, and there were no complaints or problems, the venues would continue. We are thankful that no big problems have happened thus far.

I know that the “social district” has been touted as a success from articles in the newspapers and reports given, but what is success when it comes to alcohol? Is it the fact that the social district designation has caused no problems yet in the downtown? Is it that we have netted more money? Is it that we have had an increase in visitors? Is it that we have more new businesses in town?

Could all of this happen without having a social district? I believe it could.

Lots of evaluations can be made to note the social district as a “success,” but what about our children and teenagers who frequent the downtown? There is no way that the influence of alcohol can be measured for impact on their lives. It is more of wait-and-see as they grow up, and then only God will know the impact it made on their lives.

Alcohol and drugs are ruining our society across this country and our state, and yes, in our county and town. So, I am still very concerned for the children who are surrounded by this social district as they play on our beautiful playground, as well as on our high school students who are just up the street and who frequent the downtown after school.

In addition, Snapback, which is a rehabilitation center for addicts of both drugs and alcohol, has recovering patients who do not need to be confronted with substance abuse situations if they would like to go downtown.

The town is trying to normalize the use of alcohol and there is nothing normal about it. Why are we promoting alcohol when it causes the No. 1 substance abuse disorder in the United States? It ruins lives, and families. It kills people. All of us know people whose lives have been greatly affected or destroyed by alcohol.

North Carolina spends $10 billion a year to address problems caused by alcohol, including accidents, counseling, rehabilitation, illnesses, and more. That was the figure when 40 social districts had been created across the state. Now it is 60 or more so the figure will go up. The addition of more of these districts to our state is nothing to brag about.

Who is going to speak for the children? Many say that they should be taught by their parents, but not all children receive that instruction. I heard a young boy of about 10 years old say: “I can’t wait to grow up so I can drink, smoke, and cuss.” What kinds of examples are we exhibiting? Why is our community passing ordinances to support these venues when they can harm our children and grownups as well?

Alcohol use is progressing, as we can see from what has happened here over the past 10 years. There needs to be a point where we put a halt to it. When will that begin? How can something be made legally right, when it is morally wrong?

JOANIE EVANS

Edenton