World Temperance Day:

Don't touch!

Dharmapala SENARATNE

The World Temperance Day falls today. It may be mentioned that what gave rise to designating this day as such was the World Temperance Convention, held at the Metropolitan Hall, New York, as far back as October 1 and 2, 1853.

We, of the Sri Lanka Rationalist Association, would rather face the reality as it is than adopt an ostrich-like stance in all matters. We would not deviate from that stance with regard to temperance.

The best policy one could pursue is total abstinence. We promote the idea that youngsters should never take the first drink and maintain that policy throughout lifetime. One cannot nevertheless run away from the fact that both use and abuse of alcohol have been an integral feature in the human society at all times in all climes from the dawn of human civilization.

On that basis, we are of the view that 'Mathata Thitha' is just an ideal which is beyond reach in practical terms, however desirable it may be. It is nice as a political slogan; yet it is inaccessible in reality.

In the Islamic State of Saudi Arabia, where alcohol is 'haram', many people go abroad, maybe, just crossover to Dubai, in order to have a drink on a regular basis! My journalist friend Chopra from Pakistan, living near the Indian border, would hop into his vehicle and travel just a few kilometers into India, have a drink and go back home quite often.

International conferences of heads of State invariably end up with a cocktail party towards the evening after which some heads need to be carried to their hotel rooms! Some cocktail parties of big shots in Sri Lanka are not without similar episodes either.

Alcohol has created a serious sociological problem in Sri Lanka today. Nor can it be gainsaid that it assumed problematic proportions with the liberal issuance of liquor licenses to MPs during Chandrika's regime, resulting in proliferation of liquor shops and free availability of liquor. How many ruling party MPs even today, talking with such (pretended) enthusiasm about 'Mathata Thitha', can sincerely claim to be teetotalers?

We, of the SLRA, have addressed our mind solemnly on the matter. At our last monthly meeting, held at the Dr. N. M. Perera Center auditorium, Borella, we considered various aspects of the problem, the main business for the day being a talk by Dr. Kapila Ranasinghe, a psychiatrist. We were lucky to have Prof. Carlo Fonseka, Chairman, Alcohol and Tobacco Authority, present there.

We advise that you follow whatever the rule applicable to you out of the following list:

* Teenagers, adolescents and youngsters - never touch it under any circumstances.

* Teetotalers - stick to your policy at all times.

* Social drinkers - take care. It could possibly develop into fully- fledged dependence slowly and gradually over the years.

* Those on the borderline - Be pre-warned and precautious.

* Heavy drinkers - immediately seek medical or psychiatric help.

The writer is the President, Sri Lanka Rationalist Association