WHO'S RESPONSIBLE?

[HairOfTheDog]

I personally don't think the bartender or the dealer is ultimately responsible for a death caused by their customers' over-consumption of the product they push.

Doesn't the bartender have a responsibility to prevent harm to the "general public" if a patron, say . . . like aussie, has no control or regard for the health and safety of herself and of others?

Or should they just turn a blind eye and say "Fuck it . . . not my problem."?

And "Thanks.", doll!

I think the bartender has a moral responsibility not to say "fuck it", not a legal one.

I know several bartenders (that's not as incriminating as it sounds!) and none of them hesitates to cut someone off, which is probably easier to do in their neighborhood bars with many patrons being regulars than in some larger serving establishments.

None of the bartenders that I know would let sloshed patrons walk out the doors with keys in hand, or unable to maneuver their feet. The ones that I know personally are decent people. But, they do serve known alcoholics all day long and don't lecture them on rehab or abstinence -- I don't think that's their responsibility either.

Some bartenders aren't so decent or moral and will keep supplying if the customer keeps demanding and paying, no matter what. I think they're assholes, as are a lot of drug dealers, but I don't think it should be illegal not to give a fuck about the choices that other adults make and to consider those adults responsible for their own actions.

I understand both sides, from the legal and moral perspectives. It's just my opinion about how far personal responsibility should extend.