Combined effort sought to rid of cheap alcohol

By JIMMY KALEBE
A COLLECTIVE effort from appropriate Government agencies and the private sector is needed to find an amicable solution to the readily available cheap, high alcohol content liquors in the country, a senior police officer says.
Lae metropolitan superintendent Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban said the impact of the drinks was immeasurable in Lae city as they were widely available and consumed.
“A clear indication is during the Christmas and New Year periods which police identified – most of the bottles that were being smashed on roads and streets were those used for cheap alcohol,” he said.
The onus, he said, was on Government agencies starting from those responsible for issuing of licence to liquor companies down to police and business sector to ensure solutions are enforced.
“I have been making several calls on this cheap alcohol products after noticing that many offences caused were related to these products since the year before last but nothing was done,” Kunyanban said.
“The authorities responsible did nothing.”
He said public and Government agencies, as well as business houses, could not blame police for not doing enough to curb offenders in relation to this.
“We have to address it now or never,” he said.
“Lae city might, one day, be ruled by these drunkards as it is getting out of hand.”
Kunyanban said it was sad to see school-aged children consuming these products and committing offences.