I READ WITH AMAZEMENT that the Minister of Trade and Commerce treated three primary schools to a tour of the Foursquare Distillery at Heritage Park in St Philip.

No doubt the real purpose of the tour was to give the children the opportunity to enjoy themselves in the park. For this the minister should be congratulated. Unfortunately this was not mentioned.

What was clear is that they had a good look at the entire rum manufacturing process. Much harm is done by exposing children to alcohol in any form.

I said I was amazed, but I should not have been, since we condemn all illegal drugs, destroy them when they are seized, arrest those who are caught taking or selling them, fine or imprison them; and then we glorify, produce, advertise and promote vigorously the use of alcohol because it is legal.

Now that these children know how sugar and rum are manufactured, I hope that either their parents or teachers will take the time to explain some other things.

I hope they explain to them that alcohol is a drug. A drug that they should research carefully while they are still young, so as not to be misled by those who portray it as the answer to all happiness.

I hope that they explain to them that rum contains alcohol and the law of Barbados tries to protect them by making it illegal to serve alcohol to minors, so they must be 16 years old before they can drink it.

I hope they explain to them that the earlier they start to drink alcohol, the greater their chance of having their lives destroyed by it.

I hope they explained to them that alcohol will ruin the lives of at least one out of every ten of them that were there that morning.

I hope for many good things for our youth, one being that none of them have anything to do with the consumption of alcohol.

– MAURICE FOSTER