Report: Alcohol abuse costing K78m a year

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 20th December 2011

By SALLY TIWARI
ALCOHOL abuse in PNG costs the state more than K78 million annually and a national alcohol policy needs to be put in place, a new report from the National
Research Institute (NRI) says.
Damage to infrastructure, loss of lives, injuries and compensation for accidents made up the bulk of the damage while some costs were hidden and unquantifiable.
The report, Addressing alcohol abuse in Papua New Guinea, was an issue paper compiled by NRI researcher Dr Michael Unage at regional symposium on alcohol abuse.
The report said medical costs of treatment for alcohol abuse-related cases
at Port Moresby General Hospital were estimated at between
K4 million and K20 million annually.
Infrastructure costs to the state were difficult to determine as information provided at the symposiums was insufficient and the Works Department lacked dated information regarding damage as a result of alcohol abuse.
Statistics from the National Road Safety Council showed the number of vehicle
accidents in the country had increased by 23%.
It said there was frequent anti-social behaviour in schools from 2005-10 as a
result of alcohol abuse.
At least 17% of
upper primary school boys and 39% of lower and upper secondary school boys admitted to drinking alcohol regularly.
The report said there was a need for a national alcohol policy, reviewing and effective enforcement of the Liquor Licence
Act of 1963 and increased public private partnership initiatives to address alcohol abuse.