Department backs call to ban production of cheap alcohol

A DEPARTMENT head has backed calls by the police to ban the production of cheap alcohol.
Secretary for the Department of Community Development, Youth and Religion Jerry Ubase said his department would also support the revocation of licences of liquor manufacturers by the National Capital District Liquor Licensing Board.
He said producing cheap but potent alcoholic products contributed to the surge in social disorder and law and order problems in Port Moresby and around the country.
“Among other issues resulting from the intake of these low-priced drinks, it is evident that gender-based violence and incidents of intimate partner abuse, and harassment of women and girls and other vulnerable members of the community, such as children, elderly and persons with disabilities is on the rise rendering the efforts of the government and development partners to address it more challenging,” he said.
Ubase said the department was concerned that due to the accessibility and cheapness of these alcohol products there had also been an increase in underage drinking.
Ubase pointed to recent comments by a school principal in a National Capital District school who said some children were using their lunch money to buy cheap alcohol and getting drunk and affecting their performance in school.
“The department does not intend to harm their business interests, but as the mandated state agency responsible for the protection and empowerment of families and vulnerable people in society, we take serious consideration of how their cheap products are destroying and contributing to social disorder.”