Beware alcohol is addictive

How many drunken drivers in the past three years have ploughed their way at high speeds recklessly enough to kill themselves, passengers and innocent pedestrians and injure host of others? The number of deaths caused by these crashes (which run up few thousands) should have been seen by us as urgent wake-up calls. But have we woken up? I do not think so.

To begin, let us ask ourselves a simple question. Why does alcohol continue to be popular among our people? I believe the simple answer is because there's a high social acceptance of alcohol and the drunkenness that comes with it. And, we continue to abuse it, unaware of the danger it poses.

Take for example, a recreation function. We think recreation only happens when a crate of Arrack and few kegs of beer are present. Liquor must flow liberally else the party wouldn't get into good swing. It happens in our sports, too. Fans cannot enjoy the competition without pre- and post-game drunken revelry. It's in our families, too. A wedding, birthday party or even funerals are not complete if the 'bottle' is missing.

Alcohol has wormed its way into our lives. We haven't learned to see alcoholism as a disease that needs treatment. Instead, we would rather label drunken people as misdemeanour offenders than people needing help.

Because of this acceptance of alcohol in our modern culture, its long-term effects, such as liver disease, ulcers, heart and circulatory disorders and brain damage, are often overlooked. In addition, its short-term effects, such as staggering, double vision and loss of balance, can be dangerous.

That is why when persons are under the influence of alcohol, the smallest obstacles may cause injury and the use of otherwise simple mechanical devices, such as automobiles, may result in death.

Of course, some people seem to have received the alcohol message. It's a small percentage. Some of them lost relatives. Some of them were shaken into awareness.

Some families showed compassion for the alcoholics in their families. Some families still teach alcohol responsibility.

On top of all, recent studies have amply demonstrated that the trend of consumption of alcohol among youth is increasing. Some types of their behaviour witnessed recently, spontaneously enhanced by alcohol, such as sexual inhibitions, disobedience to law and order and traffic accidents, all require a high price to be paid, suggesting that the trend of youth drinking deserves serious attention.

How can we apply brakes to cut down our excess drinking pattern? Is there a fool-proof formulae?

Overseas measures that tackle drinking cannot be fully applied in Sri Lanka. However, as this issue has the potential to be a big problem with the drinking becoming a part of the social lives of common people, I think the Government and voluntary agencies concerned should pay special attention to the situation. They should take measures from overseas as reference points to send a clear message to the people that 'Alcohol is addictive'.

Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka, focused and comprehensive alcohol related statistics and data are scattered and incomplete. This is an obstacle for maintaining a sound grasp on the issue or being able to accurately monitor developments. I do not think we have any territory-wide statistics on alcohol-dependent patients. I also do not think we have such comprehensive computer system to compile this kind of statistics.

In respect to the effects of alcohol consumption on society, data and information about traffic casualties, family problems, crimes or suicide are quite essential. Without such information we cannot do a serious evaluation process on the social costs and implementation of policy on controlling alcohol consumption.

Experts say that it is not easy to set up an absolute standard for 'reaching a level of drunkenness' or a 'problematic alcohol model'.

In view of this, it is better if the agencies concerned provide more preventive education to alert people to the potential danger of drinking alcohol.

Remember the next victim may be a family member or one related to your family.

Our alcohol-laden culture probably will kill more innocent people again and again.

That's what happens in a country that won't admit its entire culture needs to dry out.

We are basically a religious country. Yet we have one of the highest binge drinking rates in the world. But it seems we do not care.

In a democracy like ours, each person must decide himself whether or not to use alcohol.

The Government cannot make this choice for them. But the Government can supply the citizens with enough information about alcohol so that each person can make a responsible decision.