Chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison closed all the liquor stores on P.E.I. recently as she views this as non-essential. (Editor’s note: One provincially run liquor store re-opened after this letter was submitted.)
Unfortunately, this sets up the following chain of events:
- She just greenlighted bootlegging (which is illegal) and it is where people will go now to get their alcohol, since she has forced Islanders to do just this.
- Police could see an increase in break-ins as individuals look for alcohol since she has closed the liquor stores.
- Hospitals could see more incidents involving alcohol poisoning from bootlegged alcohol.
Islanders will now travel across to the mainland to get their alcohol, which increases their chances of coming in contact with a COVID 19 infected person and bringing that infection back to the Island.
- Revenue goes to mainland businesses ... not the Island.
- Lastly and probably most significant: The Island is not exempt from those suffering from alcohol addiction. Once their supply is cut off, and if they can’t get their alcoholic fix, they will begin to go through withdrawal.
People are stressed enough and, like it or not, alcohol is used responsibly by thousands to relax!
I recognize that Dr. Morrison is under a mountain of pressure in dealing with the current crisis. However, this is one decision where I feel she dropped the ball.
FYI ... I grew up in Summerside and am still proud to call myself an Islander.
Russell Andrews,
Brandon, Man.
