Time to address abuse of alcohol

WE support the call by National Capital District (NCD) and Central police commander Assistant Police Commissioner Anthony Wagambie Jr, to regulate the production and sale of cheap and high percentage alcohol.
We agree that the manufacturers and producers have a social responsibility to the people and communities so they should abide by the laws on the production and sale of liquor or alcohol.
The consumption of such products can have negative social and health impacts on the lives of people and their communities, particularly our young people, many of whom are already becoming addicted to alcohol.
The initiative to conduct a survey within NCD to explore the social impact of alcohol on the people’s lives and their communities is commended.
We suggest that the Government and NCD Commission initiate an in-depth analysis on not only the social and health impact of alcohol but also the production sources of various liquor products, the production sites, the companies involved in such production, the percentage of alcohol in the contents and the registration status of these companies.
The authorities need to establish whether or not there are existing laws in place in Papua New Guinea to regulate the production and sale of liquor and the standard legal limits in the varying liquor products.
Mental health may become an increasing issue as a result of cheap and high alcohol content liquor that are made readily available to the public.
If the research establishes that there is absence of laws, regulations and enforcement, the Government should move to do something about it. This is an urgent call to address this increasing and serious social and health issue already affecting our people, especially underage children and young people.
It is now common knowledge that much of the disturbances, public nuisances, violence, killings and deaths in the homes and communities are generally the result of alcohol abuse.
The issue of alcohol abuse, especially by our young population should be addressed urgently and immediately.
Young people should be educated on the impacts of alcohol on their health and mental state.
They should be educated on responsible alcohol consumption and its values to their families and communities.

Paul Harricknen,
President, Catholic
Professionals Society of PNG