For some time now the warning signs have been there, but we have been too polite – or too scared – to be honest with ourselves.

Central Victoria’s cities and towns have a drinking problem and it cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.

No one is begrudging anyone for having a few social drinks among friends, family or work colleagues to unwind at the end of a long day.

And what special occasion – birthday, wedding, Friday night football – is complete without knocking the top off a stubby or bottle of wine?

But the evidence is clear that too many of this region’s inhabitants simply cannot handle their grog.

It is apparent in the number of drink-driving offences recorded each week, despite myriad education campaigns saturating the media.

It is apparent in the number of people presenting with alcohol-related injuries to Bendigo hospital’s emergency department each month.

It is apparent in the number of families that are torn apart each year by alcohol-fueled domestic violence.

Where should the finger of blame be pointed for allowing our drinking to spiral out of control?

The uncomfortable answer is, at each and every one of us.

We are all to blame in some way for creating, perpetrating and eventually mythologising Australia’s hard-drinking, larrikin lifestyle.

From very early ages, too many of our children – particularly boys – are exposed to a culture that not only tolerates, but actively encourages, excessive drinking.

The state government’s liquor and gambling regulator is set to spent $11.3 million beefing up its liquor and gambling compliance presence in regional areas.

It is obviously important to ensure the outlets that sell alcohol operate responsibly within the terms of their liquor licences.

In so doing, it is hoped the extra scrutiny will bring about a reduction in senseless violence and vandalism that are all too common features of a weekend in central Victoria. But as well as pushing the responsible service of alcohol line we, as a community, must do more to educate people long before they reach legal drinking age.

- Ross Tyson, deputy editor