remusisdying

im having trouble trying to resolve something in my head. recently, i attended a panel about the growing problem of childhood obesity. basically, the members who spoke advocated wholesale systematic change. this is not to say that parents are in no way responsible, but rather, that obviously the current system is not working. parents cannot be blamed for an inability to say 'no,' and even if they could be, how could you really tell them to start saying it? in any case, im thinking that some sort of regulation is needed. this could be in schools, etc. so, this becomes problematic when i try to apply that argument to the regulation of alcohol in utah. many people in the state feel restricting access to EtOH will help save lives (ie by reducing traffic accidents, etc). it seems to me, however, that you shouldnt really blame the substance, but rather those abusing it. why should we all suffer because some people cannot fucking control themselves?
in my mind, i seem to be contradicting myself. granted, these are not completely analogous situations, and maybe im getting hung up bc i feel that kids have less choice about their foods (and therefore become obese at increased rates) than adults do about their alcohol consumption.