A loved one close to me recently spent two grueling months in the hospital, fighting for their life due to a severe alcohol dependency. In critical care, she was saved at great expense, and with the help of medical professionals, she managed to give up alcohol. Her dedication to remaining sober was steadfast. However, upon re-entering daily life and visiting local shops, she found herself falling back into old patterns, resuming drinking even after medical staff warned her that failing to abstain could be fatal.

This personal experience highlights a significant gap in our system, where individuals who are medically at risk from alcohol can still access it with ease. The current regulations are inadequate in preventing such life-threatening relapses. To protect vulnerable adults, there is a pressing need to implement a system of digital ID cards that permit the purchase of alcohol only after confirming the individual's fitness and health to consume it.

A digital ID card system could act as a more effective preventive measure, ensuring that licensed vendors verify the medical consent status of adult consumers. This technology can help break the cycle of dependency by providing a safety net for those identified at risk. Furthermore, it could save healthcare costs and resources spent on treating alcohol-related emergencies and chronic conditions. In addition, an ID system in parallel with the technology and health processes that exist today, can also act as an incentive by encouraging those at risk to enrol in a rehabilitation  programme.  As many as 4 in 5  sufferers do not seek help and even fear seeking help, adding to the misery of sufferers and those loved ones around them. A digital system can  act as a carrot because it can help imcentivise those with a dependency to attend a rehabilitation programme, at the end of which less control on purchase would be the goal.

Countries like Sweden have implemented controlled purchasing systems resulting in decreased alcohol consumption and related health issues. According to the World Health Organization, this approach contributes substantially to public health goals.

Today, we have the technology to implement such a system efficiently and securely. Incorporating healthcare data, with privacy concerns strictly handled under data protection regulations, can empower a healthier society and peace of mind for families battling alcohol dependency.

We urge health authorities, policymakers, and legislators to prioritize public health by establishing digital ID cards for alcohol purchase. Act now to provide a lifeline to those who can be saved from the grips of alcohol dependency and prevent future heartbreaks.

Please sign this petition to support a safer and healthier future for everyone.