IN response to William Kelly, who attacked my letter about the Street Angels.

First, I would like to say that I think the Street Angels do mean well, but they are misguided. Having seen first-hand the terrible affects of alcohol abuse, I now realise that the only effective way of treating drunkenness in our society is by an attitude of zero tolerance.

Young people losing control of themselves in the streets and getting in such plights is a disgusting spectacle. I do not believe that their interests are served by well-meaning people coming to their aid with comfortable shoes, help with taxis etc. They should be responsible for their actions, they are adults, not children.

Like many other people, I am frightened by what is happening to our society because of drink — the violent crime and yobbish behaviour, the mess all over the town centre at weekends. Also, I am myself afraid to venture out at night because of drunken people and the disturbances and intimidation that they can cause, and I am not alone in that.

Poster campaigns and government advice have done nothing to dissuade young people from drinking too much. So many of them can think or talk of little else other than going out, clubbing, pubbing, and getting as drunk. I am sure that Mr Kelly is a kind- hearted person, but somewhat naive. I would say the percentage of young people staggering shoeless around town in the middle of the night who are trying to get home is extremely small. Let’s face it, these people are drunk and irresponsible.

Finally, his comparison of drunks who can’t walk in their shoes with injured soldiers is, frankly, insulting to the brave lads and girls of our armed forces. I want people to do good, buy a poppy, don’t donate flip-flops to sozzled yobs.

Name and address supplied