Alcoholism and alcohol dependencies need more attention and concern especially since alcohol use kills more people than illicit drugs and because alcohol is the socially most harmful drug.
I was presenting a paper at the First International Congress On Drugs and Dependencies in Lisbon last week on Tackling Drugs As A Global Issue. After my presentation, I came to realise that I needed to have changed the word drug dependencies to read alcohol dependencies.
My presentation at the Lisbon Conference
There is a need to reform the drug dependencies and treatment policies globally which became clear to me during the Lisbon conference. The United States Of America delegates, as well as the European delegates were making a case for the damage illicit drug dependencies cause our society globally today, yet the results of the deaths and other damages caused by alcohol far outweigh that of illicit drugs and it seems to me that we have a situation where the socially accepted substance (but nevertheless a toxic, addictive drug) alcohol has been ignored and is given less attention, despite knowing full well the consequences of it.
I try to argue that there is a need to give alcohol policies and reform a wider room and to deal with the menace alcohol causes. I think it’s obvious that alcohol is a silent killer in our society.
During this 5-day international conference, I was able to see that alcohol is a drug and its addictive effects is a mental health issue; its use causes many problems not only to mental health but also physical and social health and the economy at large. Alcohol abuse and use is one of the unfortunate habits acquired through ignorance of its harmful effects. Efforts are being made to curb its use against deliberate efforts by Big Alcohol and its countless immoral marketing practices and their agents to increase alcohol use.
What really matters to me is the need to empower Ghanaians and all other Sub-Saharan Africans about the effects of alcohol, the role of Big Alcohol and for them to strengthening and implementing alcohol policies in Ghana and all of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Alcohol use seems to be linked with sociocultural life of Ghanaians. Its abuse in Africa is largely due to ignorance and increased, aggressive efforts by Big Alcohol to market alcohol.
The use alcohol and other drugs in Ghana is not only widespread but continues to be one of the top issues the health sectors have to deal with. It’s the duty of citizens, policy-makers, the governments and civil society organizations to help alleviate this problem.
Alcohol has been named the world’s third greatest risk factor in the development of premature disease. It’s not an innocent substance and its effects spill often over into society. Alcohol’s intoxicating, toxic and dependence-producing properties, as well as the social constructions and myths connected to its use, play a role in violence, child neglect and abuse, shattered relationships and poor job performance.
The use of alcohol is a global problem that claims at least 2.5 million lives per year. The sad reality is that many of the lives lost are caused by an intoxicated person’s poor choices that ultimately resulted in the harm of others.
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For further reading
the WHO Global Alcohol Strategy, 2010
Precis som vanligt lika intressant att följa din blogg David.
Du gör ett bra jobb, du kämpar för alla människors lika värde och rättigheter.
Ett värdigt liv utan alkohol och droger.
You make the difference!
Great piece! Thank you
Klokt och imponerande! Önskar dig framgång i ditt arbete mot alkohol o droger.
Congratulations for his presentation. Excellent time.
Thanks for sharing.
David, I am Dr. Kanu Paschal from Nigeria,Your Research Papers on Akpeteshie- A vicious Cycle And Alcoholic Dependencies-A- Global Issue, are Thought Provoking Presentations devoid of Spuriosities with regards to Ghana, Nigeria and Sub Saharan Africa, Keep it up.
Jättefin blogg David, bra innehåll du har gjort mig imponerad.
Alcohol and drug is one of main social problem we are facing today in Ghana. The high level of cannabis abuse among the youths here is at alarming rate as a combination of drug and alcohol abuse is not only a medical issue but also a social problem. Our centre has been working towards the control and drug abuse among the youths and under age. These under age migrate from rural town to big city for work but in the cost of economic hardship they fall under the hands of drug and alcohol abuse. Right information is needed as most of them are ignorance of the consequences of there actions. Thank you. We need to provide the right information.
David,I am Dr. Kanu Paschal from Nigeria, your Presentations on Alcohol Dependencies a global issue and Akpeteshie A vicious circle of death is a good one and shows clearly the situation in Ghana, Nigeria and sub Saharan Africa, There is a great need to assist victims come out of Alcohol before it is too late, a good work , keep it up
I’m very impressed by your blog David, keep up the good work. Alcohol consumption has led to so many different problems in our society. I’m thinking of my country Kenya where drinking and driving is the order of the day. Innocent citizens of Kenya lose their lives everyday due to alcohol-related road accdents.
I’m also thinking of the many orphans left behind,. adults indulging in unprotected sex under the influence of alcohol/drugs, contracting killer diseases and leaving their children in hopeless situations.
Something MUST be done to combat this. That’s what you are doing David, creating awareness and trying to look for attainable and sustainable solutions. Congratulations and good luck!
Africa need a policy that can discourage the consumption of alcohol and other drugs because of the social problems.
Very interesting information, I believe that alcohol is far more a killer than drugs. Thanks for highlighting on this issue.