Alcohol policy to reduce abuse - NGOCC

GOVERNMENT’s approval of the implementation of the National Alcohol Policy has cheered stakeholders who foresee a reduction in alcohol abuse and therefore its adverse effects like violence and road traffic accidents.

Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) executive director Engwase Mwale said the policy should reduce the adverse effects of alcohol consumption such as gender-based violence especially in homes.

“As an organisation, we have over the years been deeply concerned about the moral decay in our society some of which is manifesting in the abuse of alcohol by both men and women.

“NGOCC commends government for developing the policy to curb the abuse of alcohol which has negative effects on women, men, girls and boys,” Ms Mwale said.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya yesterday announced government’s intensions to implement the national alcohol policy to regulate alcohol consumption in the country.

Zambia already has some regulations on the sale of alcohol and consumption as well as restriction to access the points of sale by young people. However, enforcing the regulations has proved a challenge as underage boys and girls patronize night clubs and bars where sometimes they have been rounded up by some special security units set up to enforce the regulations.

Bottle stores, bars, taverns and shebeens have mushroomed in shanty compounds and townships where everything goes – they open for sales and close at any time they want daily, and no age restriction. There are also many illegal drinking places where regulations are ignored.