As a professional working in addiction services, I have witnessed a disturbing trend over the past year. The rise of online grocery shopping has led to an increase in home alcohol deliveries, which is exacerbating harmful drinking levels and increasing the risk of alcohol dependency. This issue hits close to home for me as I see people deteriorating physically and mentally due to these readily accessible apps that deliver large amounts of alcohol at any time of day.

Delivery drivers do not monitor customers' wellbeing in the same way local shopkeepers do, leading to unchecked consumption and worsening health outcomes. According to a study published by The Lancet Public Health Journal, there was a significant rise in high-risk drinking during lockdown periods (The Lancet Public Health Journal, 2021). This is not just an isolated incident but part of an alarming global trend.

We need legislation that prevents online grocery services from delivering alcohol directly into homes. By doing so, we can help reduce harmful drinking levels and lower the risk of developing alcohol dependency among vulnerable individuals.

Please sign this petition if you believe it's time we address this growing problem head-on and protect our communities from further harm caused by unrestricted access to alcohol delivery services.