Adopt policy on alcohol—Activists
Some activists have urged government to adopt a National Alcohol Policy to decisively deal with alcohol and drug abuse in the country.
Nelson Zakeyu, executive director of the Lilongwe-based Drug Fight Malawi, made the plea in reaction to government’s recent decision to ban liquor packaged in sachets.
at Parliament building
Zakeyu, who commended the government’s position, urged the authorities to urgently adopt the draft policy which was prepared under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Health.
Said Zakeyu: “Apart from the ban on liquor packaged in sachets, there is still a long way to go to protect the youth from harmful consumption of alcohol and to control use of cannabis and other drugs.
“The government should continue considering organisations such as Drug Fight Malawi as partners on such issues before putting up any regulation.”
He said his organisation has been advocating evidence-based policies and regulations that are effective in reducing problems of alcohol use since 2008.
Zakeyu said Drug Fight Malawi initiated the development of the National Alcohol Policy and it came up with the final draft after nationwide consultations, adding the draft policy awaits Cabinet approval.
Said Zakeyu: “One of the proposals in the draft policy document is for the total ban of liquor sachets, which we are happy it has been done already.
“But since banning of sachets is just one of the many proposals made by the people of Malawi through the countrywide consultation, we feel there is still more work to be done.”
Addressing the media in Blantyre on Wednesday, Young Achievers Development (YAD) president Jefferson Milanzie said government’s announcement is not the end to their fight against sachets.
“We want this issue to be sorted out once and for all. Our expectation is that the National Assembly will proceed with the process to make sure that the statement is translated into a policy or some sort of by-laws or laws. The statement makes the beginning of the good news to wipe out liquor sachets in Malawi.
“Sanity can now take its roots in the lives of our younger generation and families. The smile and joy on the faces of parents and guardians is now unspeakable and immeasurable,” he added.
In September, YAD and other youth organisations presented a petition to the National Assembly calling for the ban following their findings that even school-going children were ingesting the liquor.
