Home brew up in city

By GABRIEL LAHOC
THE year-long liquor ban in Lae has resulted in unprecedented high levels of home-brewed liquor being brewed and consumed around the city.
A vox-pop conducted over the weekend in Lae reflected much concern from city residents, especially parents who said the production of home-brew popularly known as “steam” has never been so prevalent in the city.
Fifteen residents and parents, who have been living  in Lae for a long time, said they knew steam was brewed only in previous hot spots such as  Bumbu and Sodas compounds but it was now brewed and sold at the Miles area, Kamkumu, Backroad, Bumayong, Tent City, East Taraka, West Taraka, Admin compound, Papuan compound, Buimo road and almost every settlements around the city.
They said only the residential areas of Eriku, Top Town and main market which fell into the city limits were not engaged in such illegal activities. They attributed this to constant police presence and good attitude of residents.
Of the 30 picked randomly and interviewed, three primary school and eight secondary students said some students were bringing steam in 500ml containers into schools to share with their colleagues.
Five male adults said they had consumed steam this year because they could not afford beer and that steam was more available. Ten females interviewed said while they did not drink steam but heard of an increasing number of women now drinking it.
Lae metropolitan police commander Chief Supt Nema Mondiai could not be reached for comments but a senior officer said Lae police had made a lot of arrests of drunks this year.