Lower drink-driving limits came into effect last week, reducing the maximum blood-alcohol level to 20mg per 100ml of blood in some cases. The changes, which bring Irish law into line with European levels, will see the current limit of 80mg drop to 50mg for most drivers. Under the regime, professional drivers, learner drivers and those who are newly qualified will be subject to a lower 20mg limit, as will other categories such as those driving tractors or cars with trailers. A penalty system is also being introduced to deal with offences detected under the limits. The market in self breathalyser gadgets has just got better as the morning after the night before may have some residual quantities of alcohol in the bloodstream pushing the early commuters over the new limit. The Minister expressed concern about the wide availability and low price of alcohol across the country. “This is primarily a public health issue requiring a whole of population approach for it to be successfully tackled. We need to reduce the amount of alcohol that we as a nation drink. This will involve a wider societal change in attitude and behaviour in order to break our cultural link to alcohol.” What does the Bible have to say about drink? Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. Proverbs 23:31 Alcohol is a problem. It is a problem today and it was a problem for the writer of Proverbs. It was a problem for Noah (Genesis 9:21) and for Lot (Genesis 19:30-33). It was a problem for the master of wedding ceremonies in Cana (John 2:1-11 But it gladdens the heart (Psalm 104:4), makes the Cana wedding go with a swing, and is better for a weak stomach than dodgy water (1 Timothy 5:18). In Rome it was a problem causing St Paul to council: “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh”. Romans Chapter 13 verses 13/14. It is also the central symbol of the redeeming love of Jesus in the cup representing His poured out blood which was to be shed for the remission of sin. For those who turn to Jesus trusting in the effectiveness of His sacrifice He gives the self control to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh. The alcoholic can be freed from addiction – there is power in the liberating power of the Holy Spirit entering a life and it all starts when we bow the knee to Jesus.