Dear Editor,
We of the Mahatma Gandhi Organization and the Gandhi Youth Organization (Woolford Avenue) would like to sincerely thank Messrs Vishnu Bisram, Annan Boodram and Dr Niamatali for their timely and important contributions in the print media on the epidemic of alcoholism wreaking havoc in our society. Our Organization would also like to note herein the numerous interventions made by Bhai Vidyaratha Kissoon on the subject imploring the authorities, manufacturers and distributors of alcohol in Guyana to take steps to bring the situation under control, seemingly to no avail
Our constitution contains clauses in the aims and objectives section dealing with the need for action to be taken by our membership to advocate against the use and abuse of alcohol. As one of the oldest registered Hindu Organizations in this country (since 1953) we recognize that there is a major crisis in the country as more and more people turn to this dangerous substance to somehow “numb” themselves from their daily trials and tribulations.
We wish to state that we are available and open to joining in any national effort or initiative to counsel, guide, advise and admonish our fellow Guyanese about the dangers of this substance as highlighted by the gentlemen mentioned in the first paragraph of this letter. We would like to call on all Hindu bodies and temples and indeed all other social and religious entities to join the drive to caution against the use of alcohol and to educate persons about the dangers of consuming alcohol.
While we have not carried out any scientific study on the problem we wish to recommend the following courses of action
1) Relevant Government agencies to meet and commission a study (if not already done) on the cost both socially and financially of alcohol abuse. If the study has been done publish the results.
2) Convene seminars and other similar fora to sensitize the public on the dangers of this product.
3) Increase taxes on all alcohol- based products (except for medicinal purposes). In the United Kingdom empirical evidence has demonstrated that increasing taxes on alcohol has had the effect of reducing consumption.
4) Enforce drink and drive laws which will have the effect of deterring persons from consuming alcohol and then proceeding to drive. The cost to the country in terms of lives and limbs lost due to accidents caused by drunk drivers must be astronomical.
5) Legislate as is done in the cigarette industry for warnings to be prominently placed on alcoholic products about dangers to health.
6) Put in place laws to prevent the advertising or selling of alcoholic beverages in school activities.
7) Enforce rigorously laws relating to opening and closing times of “rum“ shops and “beer gardens” and prosecute and fine those who violate the law including suspending their licenses if found guilty.
8) Restrict granting of new licenses to persons desirous of selling alcohol.
9) Intensive campaigns should be carried out in schools on the dangers of this substance as research has shown that if teenagers get “hooked” on this product then it is very difficult and costly to get them to stop consuming it. At the same time persons who have never used alcohol say up to 22 -24 years old are very unlikely to start consuming it after this age hence the importance of nipping the problem in the bud.
10) Negotiate with or legislate for manufacturers and distributors of alcohol to contribute say 2 % of their sales to fund rehabilitation programmes
These are just a few suggestions but previous Governments have not shown much interest in alleviating this problem instead being more reactive than proactive and we hope to have some decisive action be taken by Government and other stakeholders.
Yours faithfully,
Pandit Sawh
Christopher Persaud
Mahatma Gandhi
Organization
Woolford Avenue
