Pretoria - Civil society and government should work together to fight the scourge of alcohol abuse, says Chief Director at the National Liquor Authority Prea Ramdhuny.
Speaking at a campaign to combat liquor abuse, hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry, Ramdhuny said the complexity of alcohol abuse in South Africa demands a coordinated and integrated approach.
“There is a need for integration and cooperation across all levels of the continuum for dealing with the adverse effects of alcohol misuse,” she said on Thursday in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
Government has legislation in place to deal with the problem of alcohol abuse to reduce its harm, demand and supply.
However, the challenges associated with alcohol abuse still persists irrespective of the efforts by government, non-governmental organisations and the industry.
Ramdhuny highlighted that as much as government creates and implements policies to regulate the liquor industry, formulating partnerships with communities and encouraging cooperation between stakeholders is key.
“We have to teach our young about the health risks associated with using alcohol at an early age, advise pregnant women not to indulge in alcohol as South Africa has one of the highest rates of foetal alcohol syndrome in the world.
“Government’s efforts to address the problem have been inadequate. We can’t evade responsibility for tackling the root causes of the disease any longer,” she said.
The harm caused by alcohol abuse has far-reaching negative effects that not only affect those who drink but those who are part of the drinker’s immediate environment.
President of the Tshwane Liquor Traders Association Oupa Mthombeni said it would be unrealistic to only depend on government to fight alcohol abuse.
He said alcohol traders still had the responsibility to ensure that they do not sell alcohol to minors and that they do not to sell to visibly intoxicated individuals and pregnant women.
“We have to take care of our communities, as it is through them that our businesses are thriving and are contributing to the economy. Efforts such as providing information on alcohol, positive engagements with youths in and out of school, promotion of responsible use must be part of our core business as well,” said Mthombeni.
The National Liquor Authority is a regulatory body within the department responsible for administering the National Liquor Act. – SAnews.gov.za
