THE National Narcotics Bureau has backed the calls made by National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop and president of the PNG Medical Society Dr Mathias Sapuri to ban the sale of betelnut (buai).
In statement released this week, acting director-general John Mapusa called on all interested stakeholders to come together and collectively propose the regulation on the sale and consumption of betelnut in the country by enacting a new legislation.
He said betelnut fell within the meaning of dangerous drugs and as such, legislative changes were required to control the sale and consumption of the nuts in the country.
“Although betelnut is being referred to as a favourite traditional pastime, it is contributing immensely to major health problems within family settings and equally creating unhygienic environment pollution in the general outlook of cities, towns, settlements and villages,” Mr Mapusa said.
He added that drastic measures of control must be put in place before we experience another AIDS-like epidemic in the future.
“The activities of sale and consumption by parties have been totally abused in the name of economic benefits and social relaxation.”

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