Alcohol creating issues in communities: Lawyer

MOST of the social issues affecting local communities are alcohol-related, according to a lawyer and youth leader Enoch Manihambu.
He said most of the alcohol that was produced and consumed was illegally brewed within the community.
Kwarabri youths in Yangoru in East Sepik surrendered to police at least 10 gas bottles that were used to brew homebrew, commonly known as steam or fire wara, last Friday and promised community leaders to change some of their behaviour to complement the development changes in the district.
This came about after a two-day educational awareness drive initiated by community leaders.
The awareness was headed by Manihambu with the help of the ward member and youths from the village.
Manihambu said the production and consumption of homebrew showed youths causing law and order and social problems in the village and also in the small Yangoru township. This has caused fear among vulnerable members of the community, including women and girls.
“The production and consumption of steam has contributed to escalating law and order problems in the society affecting school-aged children with its associated health risks. In the recent past, there have been reported cases of murder, fighting, violence and decline in discipline in the schools, resulting in a good number of students dropping out of school in the area.”