EDMONTON - Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach says two police officers being swarmed by a dozen young people in downtown Edmonton last weekend is like the Wild West.
Stelmach says Alberta's booming economy has left more cash in people's pockets to go to bars and nightclubs, so the province is looking at tightening drinking laws.
The premier says the problem appears to be binge drinking.
Solicitor General Fred Lindsay says changes to be announced next month include minimum drink prices, shorter happy hours and a limit on how many drinks can be on a bar table after 1 a.m.
The premier concedes "you can't legislate against stupidity," so what it really comes down to is people taking responsibility for their actions.
Stelmach adds drugs are also becoming a bigger problem in Alberta because the boom has left people with more money, which has boosted the illegal drug trade.
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Article online since May 14th 2008, 0:00
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