This call is being made against the background that there seems to be a growing trend where law enforcers act in a lawless manner.

This was evident when the East Coast District of the Ministry of Education/Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) staged its Inter-Branch sports at the Enmore ground recently.

There were four police ranks on duty, a corporal and three constables. These ranks were there to enforce the law. However, two of them, including the corporal, were seen drinking Mackeson Stout and Carib Beer, beverages that according to GTU's Immediate Past President Lance Baptiste are prohibited from any sporting activity organised by the Ministry or the Union.

While the two (corporal and constable) were having a seemingly merry time with the `Regular boys and girls' spectators were encroaching on the track and more alcoholic beverages were being allowed into the venue in the presence of the other two constables who were stationed at the gate.

Asked about the GTU's position on alcoholic beverages being sold and consumed at GTU activities, Baptiste said "GTU's position is that we are totally against selling alcoholic beverages at grounds. We would not like to encourage the selling or drinking of alcoholic beverages at any Ministry of Education/GTU sporting events, but the problem is, some grounds have bars like Police and GCC, and we cannot stop them from selling alcoholic beverages, but we do ask them not to sell it to students. We really cannot prevent it."

Asked if the Enmore matter was reported to the police authorities, Baptiste said it was not "but at one of our meetings leading up to `Nationals' we expressed our concern to the senior police officer who was present about alcoholic beverages being consumed and/or sold in the venue and he has promised to ensure that the ranks present enforce the law" Baptiste said.

At the Enmore meet, there was a particular incident when spectators encroached on the track and Baptiste, just a few metres above the corporal, shouted for him to get the spectators off the track, but it took quite a shouting before the corporal heard Baptiste's request. This of course could not be blamed solely on the number of stouts he had already consumed, part of the blame could be placed on the loud, lewd music that was blaring from the music set. However, when the corporal finally heard Baptiste's request, instead of instructing the junior rank to get the spectators off the track, the corporal asked the constable to hold the stout for him while he (corporal) carried out the order.

With `Nationals' just a few days away, stricter measures need to be taken by those in authority to ensure students and the `Regulars' do not consume alcoholic beverages in the venue. The task might be a herculean one, but not impossible to accomplish.

`Nationals' over the years have attracted hundreds of spectators, including the real `Regular boys and Girls' and over 1500 athletes from the 16 GTU Districts.

Some students use this opportunity to get closer to the opposite gender and one of the schemes in getting closer, is to get the weaker sex to consume alcohol, and this is why it is very important that strict measures be put in place to ensure no alcohol is sold or consumed over the four-day period of the championships.

Mr Baptiste told Sportscope that there will be no music set at this year's `Nationals' and that the GTU is hoping that the security at the gate do not allow anyone to enter the ground with alcoholic beverages. "We know that some persons will sneak it into the ground in their bags, but what we plan to do is put out those persons who we see selling it or drinking it" Baptiste said.