Dear Editor,
The recent research on alcohol and drug use in the UK highlights similar problems faced in Guyana as it relates to the use of legal and illegal substances.
The report in SN of November 1, ‘Drug experts say alcohol worse than crack, heroin’ discusses the implications for society as a whole. In Guyana, we are concerned about crack, marijuana and tobacco, but it seems that the problem of alcohol consumption cannot be dealt with.
Many people say that they have a few drinks, or even get drunk a few times without doing much damage to themselves or anyone. The thing is , we are not taking into consideration the links between casual consumption and the high levels of consumption which have resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods.
This is not a call for the prohibition of alcohol. This is a call for us Guyanese to look around us, look in our communities, look at how alcohol is being advertised and marketed, especially to young people, and to start taking the steps necessary to reverse the trends. Not drinking alcohol does not mean not socialising or not having a good time. We can play our part by choosing in the upcoming holiday season to say no to alcoholic drinks , and see if the holidays would be any less enjoyable.
The promotions which are encouraging people to drink more should be rejected, just as we reject ‘drug’ dealers. We have to imagine a different society and place. We have not improved our society with the calls for ‘responsible drinking.’ Let us try now to just say no while saying yes to continuing to have a good time and to socialising with our friends and neighbours without needing chemicals to affect our brains.
Yours faithfully,
Keeran Persaud
