Why we must fight alcohol abuse now

Police officer destroy impounded waragi in Napak district. File Photo

The district authorities in Napak deserve recognition for their stand against alcoholism now that it is becoming obvious that the uncontrolled consumption of alcohol, coupled with gambling, is destroying the youth of Uganda.
A few days ago, the Napak authorities destroyed crude waragi estimated to be worth Shs70 million. The police chief in the area, Mr David Agaba, also revealed that since the beginning of 2016, waragi worth Shs200 million has been destroyed. This is commendable. The abuse of highly addictive crude waragi has become a menace around the country.

It is time Uganda moved beyond the lamentations about how cheap ‘sachet waragi’ has reduced otherwise able-bodied youth into slobbering drunks. Cheap and easily available crude waragi has sipped its way into the very fabric of everyday life in this country. Young people who in the past would be expending their energies on productive work now choose the false escape found in alcohol. Getting high and gambling now rank top on the list of national social security risks.

Across the county, local leaders and the police are attributing the rise in both petty and serious crime to the accessibility of cheap and unregulated spirits. Families and lives are being destroyed by these twin social evils. Sadly, neither the Ministry of Health nor those responsible for security, are taking enough interest in this unfolding tragedy.
Long ago, other countries like the US took action to stem the harmful effects of alcohol abuse on society. Way back in the 1920s, the Americans recognised the danger of the debilitating effects of booze on the psychological and health conditions of the people. In mitigation, and partly to save grain for the war effort in the uncertain years following World War 1, the US passed a constitutional amendment prohibiting the production, sale, manufacture, transportation and trade in alcohol. Though unpopular for the period it was in place, prohibition saved that country.

The idea of prohibition would become one of the most debated and conflicted issues of modern day America. The abiding argument popular among those in favour of prohibition was that the public health, public morals and public safety was gravely endangered by the misuse of intoxicating drinks. We wholly identify with this sentiment
Uganda is listed among the top five alcohol consuming countries in the world. This notoriety has come about over the last decade during which time the country has witnessed a corresponding growth in idleness, youth disorder, low productivity pauperism and crime. We have to stop this social disease.

The issue: Alcohol abuse.
Our view: This notoriety has come about over the last decade during which time the country has witnessed a corresponding growth in idleness, youth disorder, low productivity pauperism and crime. We have to stop this social disease.