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Tax Funded Freebies for Drunks

Free Flip Flops in England

— December 1, 2008 — Social Good
A Devon seaside resort in England will have policemen handing out free flip-flops to drunken revelers who have either lost their shoes, or are having balancing issues so they can “make it home safely,” according to the Toronto Sun.

What a nice gesture, and one which normally wouldn’t cause one to bat an eyelash, but that isn’t the case. At issue is that funding for the free flip-flops for inebriated carousers are at the taxpayers' expense. 

A British Police Inspector, Adrian Leisk said, “Our aim is to reduce admissions into the accident-and-emergency room.”

The report then states statistics regarding alcohol-related deaths in the UK being 12.9 per 100,000 persons. 

While deaths caused by alcohol-related incidents is disheartening, I’m curious as to how handing out free flip-flops to intoxicated individuals who are walking will somehow have a positive impact. 

Will wearing flip-flops while drunk help them not to fall into a moving vehicle more so than if they stumbled around barefoot or in heels? 

What a waste of hard-earned tax dollars. I’d be outraged if I were a British taxpayer.

Photo Credit: 1
Trend Themes
1. Awareness of Alcohol-related Incidents - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new technologies or strategies to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol consumption and reduce the number of alcohol-related incidents.
2. Safe Transportation Alternatives - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative transportation solutions catered to intoxicated individuals to ensure their safe arrival home and reduce the risk of accidents.
3. Behavioral Interventions for Drunk Individuals - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement behavioral interventions or programs that target drunk individuals to promote responsible behavior and mitigate potential risks.
Industry Implications
1. Law Enforcement - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new technologies or approaches to help law enforcement agencies effectively address alcohol-related incidents and enhance public safety.
2. Public Health - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create innovative health campaigns or initiatives aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm and improving public health outcomes.
3. Transportation - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore novel transportation solutions specifically designed to cater to intoxicated individuals, ensuring their safe and convenient travel.
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