Alcohol abuse worrying

PAPUA New Guinea is moving in a trend of alcohol abuse that is dangerous for a peaceful and law abiding society.
Just by observing people’s behaviour during Christmas and New Year, it is worrying to imagine what will become of PNG if we let the trend of alcohol abuse continue.
Settlements are becoming breeding grounds for alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse happens every day and it gets worse during the festive season.
In settlements, trade stores sell alcohol to anyone regardless of age.
These trade stores even operate for 24 hours during the festive period.
Children are exposed to alcohol abuse at an early age because alcohol is consumed in public places in the settlements.
It is worrying to the point where when they grow up, it becomes a normal way of life.
That’s because they’ve seen it growing up.
Police need to go into settlements to see the real issues and work with stakeholders to address it.
News reports yesterday were contradicting – the police reported a quiet new year while the St John Ambulance chief executive officer Matt Canon confirmed casualties from violence.
He said casualties, mainly from settlements, filled Port Moresby General Hospital and that was because police were not patrolling settlements.
Settlements are usually noisy during the festive season.
Drunkards were harassing innocent people and there was violence fueled by alcohol abuse.
Alcohol abuse is causing so many problems in society; violence, harassment, petty crimes and others. We need the Government, police, alcohol producers, retailers and the community to address alcohol abuse before we throw this society to the dogs.

Concerned Citizen
Pom