Nightclubs do not promote evil

Down-playing developmental issues with band-aid remedy was not the answer, a senior social worker said yesterday in reference to comments made by Dr Allan Marat about closing down nightclubs.
National AIDS Council’s care and counselling manager David Passirem said the issue of HIV/ AIDS, breakdown of family units, rape and violence against women and children should be addressed in a holistic manner and not picking on certain sectors of the society as the agents of promoting such issues in the society.
Dr Marat, who is Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, while addressing a graduation ceremony at Tavui Primary School in East Britain last week, said nightclubs were promoting evil in the country by contributing to the breaking up of family units and also the increase in HIV/AIDS cases.
“I am sad to see young girls being used as sex slaves in night clubs and hotels in major centres of this country which are owned and operated by a certain group of foreigners,” Dr Marat said.
However, Mr Passirem with his six years experience in coordinating the HIV/AIDS national approach in the care and counselling division, said the entertainment industry was not as evil as purported.
He said buck passing was counterproductive as the entertainment and security industries remain the largest employment sector for the young people.
He said evil thoughts and deeds were products of the mind.
Nightclubs are places where people go to relax and enhance social life, he said.
At the same time the industry is boosting the economy with job creation, he added.
He also outlined that inline with the National AIDS Council’s condom use policy, all night clubs are conducting monthly training on awareness to their employees.
“We comply with the set regulations in ensuring that underage people are not employed, have access to the nightclubs or buying and drinking alcoholic beverages,” he said.
Another concerned individual, Joe Ango of Komo-Magarima, Southern Highlands said nightclubs should be strict on underage children (18 years and below) from accessing the facilities.
Mr Ango said as a parent, he had seen children under the age of 18 going to disco places, getting drunk with friends and causing nuisance in the community.
He said adults who get teenagers drunk should be prosecuted.
Dr Marat’s office when contacted cannot confirm whether the Minister is going to make a submission to Parliament to close down nightclubs.