Guyana’s alcohol problem persists
Manickchand: Producers have to get on board
The stories may have different characters but the plots remain the same: a man, a woman or a child is the victim of a senseless act of violence, the result of someone who has had too much to drink.
Last month, Keron Caldeira, 18, joined an expanding cast when he was fatally stabbed at Line Path, Skeldon. His attacker was a 15-year-old with whom he was drinking. Then last week, Edwin Motoweren, 32, died from wounds he sustained when he was stabbed by workmate with a putty-knife at a construction site at Parafield, West Coast Demerara. Before he died, Motoweren recalled the image of his attacker, sitting and drinking rum while he was lying on the ground bleeding.
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
Those are just the latest instalments in the ongoing saga of alcohol abuse in Guyana and there is growing fear that what is now a huge problem could deepen if serious interventions are not made.
According to Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy, alcohol abuse costs the health sector millions of dollars a year in hospital bills alone. For years, he has warned that alcoholism is a serious health problem and while the ministry has taken small steps to address the issue, he admits that there is still much more to be done. “I am not satisfied that we have enough [being done],” Ramsammy told Stabroek News. “I am not satisfied that we are near enough; we will need overwhelmingly more to be done.”
The minister noted that alcohol contributes to a host of negatives in the society, including violence, especially domestic violence and sexual abuse, as well as lifestyle challenges like ill health and hindrance to educational progress.
The ministry sees alcoholism as a disease and its new drugs programme includes persons being medically treated for the illness. Although the ministry has recently made programmes available to help those who are addicted, Ramsammy explained that the demand has outgrown the service. To address this problem, he said the ministry will soon be taking the service to other regions. Earlier this year, the ministry established a support group for substance abuse, including alcoholism. It will be administered at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), under its mental health programme. The ministry also launched an anti-drug sensitisation programme, using radio and television series to target substance abuse, particularly alcoholism.
Ramsammy also said some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have joined the fight by attaching alcohol abuse components to their HIV programmes, but he pointed out that it has been difficult to convince them all since they do not see money coming in directly for such inclusions.
Admitting that more needs to be done, the minister said success would depend on a coordinated approach that would involve other government departments, like the Human Services, Education and Home Affairs ministries.
Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand agrees. There are no statistics from the reports of domestic violence to the ministry, but Manickchand told Stabroek News that it is safe to assume that around 90% of them are alcohol-related. While she was quick to point out that alcoholism should not be blamed for some of the heinous acts, Manickchand acknowledged that many of the perpetrators act under the influence.
According to statistics gathered by Help & Shelter, alcohol contributes largely to domestic violence. Between November 1995 and October 2006, 1159 cases of spousal abuse were alcohol or drug related. There were also 86 cases of non-spousal abuse in the home and 16 cases of child abuse during the same period, all alcohol or drug related.
Raising awareness
Manickchand said while her ministry plans to get involved in the alcohol abuse awareness programmes, it is important that companies which produce alcohol and large distributors get on board.
She feels that the producers and distributors should direct some percentage of their profit to awareness programmes and provide counselling for those who are already hooked. “But I don’t see that… and it is something that we need to look at,” she observed.
Meanwhile, Ramsammy said the ministry has been engaging alcohol producing companies, especially since like in other countries, Guyana has seen an increase in alcohol advertising. “We have been talking with the companies quietly…” he explained, though he was not prepared to divulge what the discussions were centred on.
Awareness programmes, according to him, are an important aspect of the fight since they can prevent persons from becoming substance abusers. “How do we get people, first of all young people, to abstain? And secondly, how do we get older people, who are already consuming alcohol, to stop the abuse of alcohol? Alcohol was never meant to be consumed in unlimited amount, it was never meant for anyone of us to test of capacity…,” the minister said.
The minister said that for the awareness programmes to be effective the messages need to be taken to the schools, social clubs, churches and the family. But finance remains a bugbear. “The resources we need to constantly bombard people with the alcohol message are simply not there and so if you compare what we do in terms of HIV and what we do in alcohol, it is night and day differences,” he said.
“It is not that I don’t want to, it is whether we have the resources to do it.” At the same time, he was also quick to point out that the fight is not just the government’s responsibility, saying that the private sector entities, such as the media, could join the fight on their own. In this vein, the minister complimented organisations which have been promoting recreational events that are non-alcoholic.
Support systems
Many people who abuse alcohol, according to Ramsammy, do not want the lifestyle and want help to change. “They want help and they can’t get it,” he said.
In the recent past, only the Salvation Army provided any sort of assistance to alcoholics and even then it was only in small numbers. But the minister noted that many of the people who were treated in the programme went back to the same lifestyle after completion because they had no support network afterward. “If you don’t have local support systems, you would fall right back into it,” he said. The Salvation Army was later joined by Phoenix Recovery Programme and now the Health Ministry’s programme at the GPHC. But the hospital programme is a non-residential one. “For some people that doesn’t work,” he said. “You have to force abstinence for them to benefit.”
Ramsammy said the ministry currently has ten times the capacity that it had last year. “But guess what? Our ability to deliver has been overwhelmed by the demand,” he said, adding that there is no longer a problem to get persons to seek access of the programme since the courts and the police have been pro-active and are sending persons to access the programme. He called it a “promising start” and said the ministry “would continue to build.”
He said the ministry will ensure that Georgetown is a centre of excellence and that the big urban areas, like New Amsterdam, Linden, Parika, Anna Regina, Suddie, Mabaruma, Lethem and Bartica would have non-residential services in place by the end of next year. The ministry is currently working on a residential area in Region Six, after which Linden will be the focus for the establishment of such a centre.
But as the minister said before it is not only the ministry which should be fighting the fight and in this regard Georgetown and New Amsterdam will be used as training bases for religious representatives and other persons so that they can also start their own non-residential facilities.
In addition to the institutional approaches, Ramsammy feels that the implementation of the new Evidence and Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2008, passed in Parliament in June, will help to address alcoholism.
It is to be enacted upon completion of a public education programme for motorists.
The new law aims to curb driving under the influence of alcohol and makes provision for police to use breathalyser tests to verify whether motorists have exceeded the prescribed blood-alcohol limit. It is estimated that motorists would only be able to have the maximum of two beers. But the minister added that more can be done and he called again for a law stipulating who can access alcohol, explaining that too many children can walk into rum shops and purchase it.
He said the law should also address who sells alcohol, since many persons are doing so without the requisite licence. “I know there are laws but I am not quite sure that they are as modern as we want, to address at what age you are permitted to buy alcohol and drink alcohol in public places like bars and nightclubs,” he said. “I don’t need to tell the Guyanese public that there are too many 14-year-olds and 16-year-olds going to the nightclubs and drinking. I don’t think people need me to tell them that that happens.”
He also called for increase on the taxes for the importation of alcohol, arguing that it is far too affordable.
Those in authority have been hiding behind the walls of denial for too long. Alcohol has been eroding the social and economic fabric of our families and those in authority have been casting the responsible eye in the other direction, either they were too intoxicated or it is going to put a dent in the tax collection basket. In certain communities boys start to drink from the ages of 9 and 10 and it is alright because no one cares. The country is going to saddled a bigger burden if this problem is not stemmed NOW.
I agree John Smith that the problem has to be fixed if Guyana is to make better progress however this drink problem dates back to at least the time of dictator Burnham during which the only expanding industry in Guyana was the RUM SHOP.
TV and Radio slots should graphically explain to drinkers how:
THEY THINK they behave after a session of excessive drinking and how
THE GENERAL PUBLIC THINK they behave after a session of excessive drinking.
This sound like a good start, but the govt and private sector needs to do more, for instance there should be laws implemented for the appropiate drinking age, which in my estimation should be 20 or 21, and any vendor who sells alcohol to a minor should have his license revoked and fined.
FOLLOW THE USA RESTRICTIONS MS. MANIKCHAND!
18YRS THEN U CAN SMOKE, 21 YRS THEN U CAN CONSUME ALCOHOL. SHOP OWNERS, BAR OWNERS, CLUB OWNERS, RESTAURANTS THAT SELLS ALCOHOL OWNERS SHOULD BE FINED REAL HEAVY PENALTY IF CAUGHT SELLING THESE AGE RESTRICTIONS ITEMS TO UNDER AGE PEOPLE. ALSO IF U R TOO INTOXICATED, IT IS THE RIGHT OF THE OWNER OF SUCH BUSNIESSES TO STOP SELLING ALCOHOL TO ANYONE THAT IS OVER THE LIMIT UNLESS THEY HAVE A DESIGNATED DRIVER. THE PENALTY SHOULD BE 10 TIMES THE COST OF A BOTTLE OF ALCOHOL IF CAUGHT SELLING TO UNDER AGE DRINKERS AND JAIL TERM TOO. DONT EVER THINK THIS IS TOO HARSH ON SELLER, BECAUSE U WILL NOT LIKE THE CONSEQUENCES OF VICTIMS OF DRUNKEN DRINKERS IF THEY KILL ANYONE WHILE DRIVING … THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES & BURDEN & ISSUES U WILL BE FACING FROM THE VICTIM(S) FAMILIES.
DUI & DWI SHOULD BE CARRYING JAIL TERM AFTER 2 OFFENCES.
WOULD YOU LIKE IF YOUR FAMILY ESP YOUR MOTHER OR FATHER OR YOU BE A VICTIM OF DUI OR DWI????? THINK ABOUT THAT MS. MANICKCHAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOMETHING OT PONDER UPON.
I think if we implement the law and put it into effect we will be able to get it under control a little. Again to ensure that kids do not get involve in alcohol abuse the training must come from home. because if they do not have this training, what ever laws are there they will find a way to do it and if the law enforcers confront them then they should not be able to cover under parents.
Hello, why are you teeing off on Ms. Manickchand, she does not MAKE the laws,,,she merely enforces them, besides drinking is a Guyana passtime, when people go to guyana, you ask them to bring back pepper sause, casreep, and a bottle of rum. Relax and leave the woman alone. America has laws and people still break them so how you expect to inforce these laws in a country where you are not required to carry I. D., or half the country don’t have them,,,,,stop opening bottles, ah mean cans of worms.
John..This is a real big problem and you are right about the age group..the question here to answer..Who do we blame for this?Who has to take the responsibity here for the age group and the abuse..I think this will start from home…The persons in authority here are the parents.
Judge, you have made the right judgement there. The problem must be stemmed from the homes. It is not rocket science to know if someone is inebriated or even took a few shots. Now things have gotten worst, I am now seeing women who have been deemed ‘conservative’, congregating around bottles with their glasses. I don’t drink because I have experienced what alcohol can do to a family and extention to a commuty. Rum can wreak havoc on the lives as we see everyday.
MR. RAMSAMMY, U HAVE TO REALISE THIS… ‘U CAN TEK D COW FUH DRINK WATER BUT U CAN’T MEK HE DRINK AM’ ALCOHOL IS A HEALTH PROBLEM, IT DOESNT MAKE ONE ANY BETTER BUT WORST & NOT ONLY IS THE PRODUCER SHOUDL BE PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE IT IS THE BUYERS TOO,,, SELLERS LIKE NIGHT CLUBS, RESTAURANTS, BARS, RUM SHOPS ETC BOULD BE PEANILISED TOO WITH VERY HEFTY FINES. OVER HERE IN THE USA, PPL FILING LAW SUITS AGAINST NIGHT CLUBS OWNERS, BARS OWNERS ETC IF THEY ALREADY INTOXICATED & HAVE TO DRIVE THEMSELVES HOME & WORST YET IF THE INVOLVE IN ACCIDENTS. WHAT’S THE ARGUMENT??? ‘THE OWNER SAW I WAS ALREADY INTOXICATED & STILL GIVING ME ALCOHOL TO DRINK, HE SHOULD HAVE STOP SELLING ME’ THAT IS WHAT U HAVE TO START IMPLIMENT IN GUYANA… PENALTIESSSSSS SHOULD BE REALLY HEAVYYYYYYYYYY …. SELLERS ALSO NEED TO GET ON BOARD, THE JUDGE & JURY & POLICE NEED TO GET ON BOARD ALSO THE SELLERS…. OR U WANT TO SIT & READ THE NEWS PAPERS WHO WILL BE THE NEXT VICTIM??? HUH!!!!! JUDGES & MAGISTRATE SHOULD NOT BE EASY GOING ON THESE CULPRITS. THE GOVT SHOULD LOOK INTO GETTING HELP FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITH AID TO GET ALCOHOL BREATH TESTING EQPTS TO TEST THE ALCOHOL LEVEL OF DRIVERS WHEN CAUGHT DRIVING DRUNK… suspend their licenses too
the cons of producing the best rum in the world.
Boston,Dr Ramsammy is trying to take on more than his fair share,he cannot do everything,he knows what needs to be done,but it is not,his responsibility,he probably is a few of the ministers in this administration rolled into one,why could’nt they all be like him? This man is working ,he is trying to address the problems that face the Guyanese people,his ministry is the only one functioning..but it is only responsible for health,a pity!!!
boston quadro pro; clearly state what is being done in other societies, with significant degrees of success.
It is not a perfect solution, but a serious attempt to tackle this social disease of alcoholism and its destructive and deadly consequences.
The government of Guyana, rakes in hundred of millions of dollars via taxes on the sale and consumption of alcohol, hence, its footdragging and unwillingness, to proactively move foward with the requisite legislation to help curb this problem.
For the administration, it seems that profiting from the sale of alcohol, takes precedent over the health and safety of citizens.
It is indeed a sickening state of affairs !
What are the opposition parties doing to address this serious issue in parliament and in the media ?
What the guyanese government should take into consideration is having these kids that are going to the bars and club producing their ID showing that the are allowed to drink this may easy some of the problem.Also giving more stricker punishment for those that are drinking and driving.
In any third world nation where alcohol is produced and sells cheap, there is always a drinking problem. Drinking in Guyana/Caribbean is more like a tradition and not a problem. It goes back way before Burnham time, for where in the country area was not much entertainment/after work activities, alcohol was and are being used to fill in the time. I know of many communities where I spent much time with cousins after a hard day’s work, it was something to past time. Remember days when bush rum was more popular? If you don’t believe what I am saying, just listen to all the rum drinking songs that are out today, and they make it look good/entertaining, and many would feel good being in that category of which the song plays. Because many drop out of school at an early age and would go to the Cain/rice fields or other manual labor work, it is always that thoughts/saying: “I wok had, so le me enjoy me self and money”
Roger tell us about the second wold and fuss world fuss b4 u talk about 3rd world…..then tell us if they dont drink alcohol in fuss and second world…..
strange after 16 odd years in govt the present administration only now realised that there is a alcoholic problem among the youths in guyana, as i’ve said before that people have to die for this govt to open their eyes and come to the reality of the many hardships which the youths are facing today, my sugestion is, enact laws to compell the people who sells alcohol to ask for id to determine age, as in the case of n/america, the same thing should also apply to the sale of cigaretts.
tiger
you tell em how the kids in Canada get their booze and smokes…..tell them who they get adults to buy it for them….and tell them how our Govt is good to wipe it out completely….tell em tiger….tell em about our dear Canada….or yuh shame to tell em that it happens here in Canada but you just want to lecture the Govt of Guyana?…..
Give people a good paying job on which they can build a life, give them a future and they won’t soak their sorrows in rum. Excessive drinking is a symptom of poverty and economic hopelessness. Now people just sing along to Rum til i die.
it has nothing to do with economic status. we do not live in a fast lane society, it’s too much time to waste, that is the problem.
rambler im willing to bet you that there are more woking people boozin up than the not woking bums…..its not only guyana….its a wolrd wide disease…..so dont try that economic ting……
once upon a time I was down on my luck out of a job and no income … but i never drown me sorrows in rum… I get up me tail and mek me own wuk…
no excuse
Everyone has such easy access to alcohol due to the numerous ‘bottom house’ rum shops. I left Guyana 13 years ago and when I went back to visit last year there were at least four of them within a 500 metre radius of my home. Then you have to deal with the loud music, disgusting behaviour, frequent ‘cussing out’ and stench from urine. The government needs to do something about these rum shops and quick. Another thing that bugs me are the huge billboards with our so called cricket champions proudly displaying how ‘cool’ it is to hold a bottle of alcohol in your hand. They would be better champions if they spend their time travelling from school to school talking to our young ones about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
Some excellent points Salma: You say the government needs to do something. Well they just did.
For the recent Sari Pagent, they appear to have accepted money from Demerara Distilleries. … and you can guess what that company produces!
I especially liked your idea of specialists going from school to school to get the young thinking ahead. Perhaps the students could be shown a film about drinking and what can happen if it is taken to excess.
A very important piece of information for all is that alcoholism is a disease and it can be inherited from parents. I did not know this until recently!