More turn to homebrew as cash crop prices drop

THE increase in the brewing and consumption of homebrew liquor in East Sepik has been blamed on the fall on the prices of cash crops, particularly the vanilla.
A youth leader from Jambitangat village in Wosera East Sepik province told police and other community leaders who gathered to witness the surrender of homebrew implements to Maprik police that youths throughout the province have turned to home-brewed liquor or steam because they could not earn enough money from their crops to afford a carton of beer.
Sailas Gilisera said because of the decline in cash crop prices everyone including women and children had resorted to steam because it cost only K10 for a 500 milliliter plastic container.
Gilisera admitted to police that some womenfolk were also involved in sales and marketing of steam because they needed money to pay for their children’s education.
He told Maprik police station commander Insp Linus Damien during the gathering which marked the end of brewing and consumption of steam that the youths from Jambitangat were also working on a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) which they would sign with police to effect their commitment.
The surrender ceremony week was an ongoing operation spearheaded by Insp Damien after he took over as Maprik Police Station Commander seven weeks ago.
Insp Damien told The National police in Maprik had been engaged in a special operation to eradicate lawlessness and loud audible noises at night instigated by people who were under the influence of drug and alcohol.
He said so far the operation had seen a drastic decline in rowdy behaviours by youths in the main market and shopping centres and that he was grateful of his men’s effort.
He said it was also nice to see that following the special police operation, residents of Maprik were now enjoying their sleep unlike before where they stayed awake most nights due to noise pollution.
He added that police were also looking at moving into the villages in Maprik and surrounding Wosera and Dreikikir villagers to create awareness and help communities deal with increasing drug and home-brew problems.
Insp Damien said during the awareness they would also be appealing to youths to voluntarily surrender firearms and drugs to police.