Alcohol abuse damaging society

Editorial

IT seems a good number of Papua New Guineans may not be good at socialising because they end up arguing and fighting and with injuries inflicted or deaths reported.
And most gathering be it family, friends or work related that has alcohol will always have its share commotion.
Many people drink alcohol to socialise and celebrate, or they enjoy a drink with dinner.
A good number of people drink in moderation or do not drink; however, many still struggle with forms of drinking problems, including heavy drinking, binge drinking and alcohol use disorder.
Many people drink alcohol and the majority do so without any problems.
Drinking can be enjoyable and sometimes helps you to unwind or relax.
But heavy drinking, getting drunk or drinking at the wrong time or in the wrong situation can lead to a range of difficulties.
This brings us to the scenario that is becoming too common in our communities with consumption of alcohol, those who have consumed alcohol have been more argumentative, abusive or violent.
National Capital District-Central Commander Acting Assistant Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jr says violence induced by alcohol, especially between different ethnic factions dwelling in the city, are on the increase and posing greater challenges for police.
Wagambie said some parts of the city had recently experienced on-going fighting and drunken brawls and police had to be called in to quell the violence from time to time.
Over the past weeks, a number of fights were reported in the ATS settlement, 2-Mile Hill, June Valley and 9-Mile, but quick police action prevented these fights from escalating.
Alcohol affects people in different ways but for many youths and even some grown man, it seems they lose all form of common sense and become a nuisance.
For many people, alcohol creates an overall sense of happiness and camaraderie.
But in others it has the opposite effect while for some alcohol is like fuelling a fire and that is that is dangerous.
Whatever it is, alcohol is never an excuse for bad behaviour. There are children living in PNG with parents who misuse alcohol. The problems are widespread.
Many research done worldwide say parental alcohol misuse damages and disrupts the lives of children and families in all areas of society, spanning all social classes.
It blights the lives of whole families and harms the development of children trapped by the effects of their parents’ problematic drinking.
This definitely is happening in Papua New Guinea.
In Port Moresby, a special operation targeting drunk and disorderly behaviour in the city is in place.
The strategy code named ‘Drunk Patrol’ is aimed at arresting and locking up drunk people who are causing problems in public places within the city.
Each Friday night NCD police have and will continue to patrol the streets of Port Moresby in efforts to contain drunk and disorderly behaviour.
Some offenders are locked up for their own safety and for the safety of others as well.
In some cases, due to the huge number of arrests, drunks are subdued, cautioned and later released when they have sobered up.
Police is aware of the citizen’s right to drink but they also have a duty to protect lives and properties too and that’s exactly.
Alcohol abuse is a cancerous issue that poses many challenges for our society.
A lot still needs to be done to educate the population on sensible drinking.
It is a time bomb.