By CHIPEMA SAKAIMBO –
CHAINAMA Hills Mental Hospital management has called on government to clear out illicit beer on the market such as’ Junta’ arguing that 75 per cent of cases received at the institution were as a result of alcohol abuse.
The institution’s public relations officer George Tafuna told Sunday Times in an interview that the president’s announcement on alcohol policy is a good step forward to abuse reduction.
Mr Tafuna said the policy will guide in sensitising the public on the dangers that comes with abusing substances as well as alcohol.
It is very vital for that the issue of alcohol and substance abuse is quickly addressed before it gets out of hand. The community should be sensitised and illicit alcohol should not be sold to the public,” he said.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya recently announced that his ministry will work with the civil society and other stakeholders to come up with an alcohol policy aimed at regulating its abuse.
Dr Chilufya said President Edgar Lungu’s speech to parliament that strongly condemned alcohol abuse is timely as reports indicate that rising cases of mental illnesses among youths are due to substance abuse.
He said he will closely work with the ministry of Local Government and ministry of religious affairs and national guidance among others to ensure the policy is firm.
President Lungu during his state of the nation address to Parliament, directed relevant government ministries to coordinate and ensure alcohol abuse in the country is brought to a stop.
Mr Lungu said the rate at which alcohol is being abused among the youths in the country is worrisome and should be addressed immediately.