Alcohol can be a dangerous drug

At long last it has been made very public that alcohol is a drug - and a dangerous one at that. It harms not only the abuser but many more people, whether relations or not. Drinking at a young age, especially by minors, will more often than not turn the drinker into an alcoholic.

Any hour of a waking day or night can prove to be a right time for the alcoholic to 'sip' the favourite alcoholic drink. This can be done openly or secretly depending on the personal relationship with the family. Alcohol is truly an addictive substance. Even in small doses such as a welcome drink, pre-prandial, 'elevenses', one for the road, or nightcap. This of course depends on the number of such 'occasions' during a week. At weekends the number of 'occasions' is most probably multiplied rather than merely increased. Initially, such procedure may appear at best to be an attempt of being social or as a show of hospitality. Still, unless one watches out, it can, and probably will, become a habit.

It is at this point that trouble tends to start. At first it may seem that there is no problem. One may feel that one can cope. Yes, but for how long?

The effects of alcoholism are too well known to provide a breakdown list of the harm and consequences of excessive drinking. On the other hand, when one becomes or is on the point of becoming an alcoholic, even just a few drinks will lead to serious negative effects. These can affect health, relationship, social behaviour and also financial troubles. Addiction during pregnancy can be disastrous to the baby.

So far, I have referred only to adults, who are presumed to be the abusers. Yes, unless minors are invited to participate in the social drinking occasions referred to earlier. The mention of 'baby' as the last word in the previous paragraph is very significant. Paediatricians are very sure and stern in their warning against the drinking habit, and incidentally also smoking, during pregnancy.

Parents against children drinking

In truth, my aim today is to second the concern shown by parents about children partaking of alcohol.

Writing in The Times last week, Dr Philip Farrugia Randon, in an article entitled "Not alone in the arena", protested strongly against the lack of a serious high-level lobby against juvenile drinking. He mentions that he, together with Professor Richard England and Professor Godfrey Leone Ganado, set up an association known as GhG (Ghaqda Genituri) to act as a pressure group to create awareness among MPs of the problem of drinking by minors.

By awareness they mean pro-active measures in legislating in this regard. They want to see laws drafted in such a way as to curb, if not actually and immediately stop, the abuse of children in drinking alcohol.

The present scenario is that children can easily buy bottles of alcohol from supermarkets. This has to stop. They also want bar owners and barmen to stop selling alcohol to youngsters under 18.

I have known Dr Farrugia Randon ever since he was one of my students at the Lyceum. Philip is not one to speak or write on a subject that is of little importance or trivial. Proof of this are the questions he forcibly asks: "When? What amendments?" to the answer by the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs to a parliamentary question on the subject, namely "A decision will be taken and the necessary amendments will be made".

To another PQ, the Minister of Social Policy replied: "The government was addressing the problem of alcohol abuse in different ways including legislative methods" Dr Farrugia Random pointedly asked: "When? What laws?"

I would like to point out two sentences in the mentioned article. The first one was highlighted editorially: "Let us not find fault with everyone around us without looking at ourselves in the mirror." The article concluded thus: "Meanwhile my friends and I shall continue pressing. More are joining the arena."

Pressure for legislation

The arena for pressurising for legislation to curb alcohol abuse is getting enlarged as time goes on. Sir Richard Butler was the originator of the idea of establishing the Ghaqda Genituri. Prominent among the organisations who joined as a pressure group is the anti-drug NGO Sedqa, whose executives Sina Bugeja and Stephen Vella were mentioned.

These two stalwarts in the anti-drug campaign have insisted on proving that alcohol abuse is a habit-forming drug.

Others are Ghaqda Genituri Nharsu 'l Uliedna Ahjar and Zghazagh Haddiema Nsara (Adulti) both of whom promised their generous active support.

So far two MPs, Dr Jason Azzopardi from the Government side and Leo Brincat from the Opposition, have felt the need of taking some steps to support this initiative by tabling parliamentary questions.

It is sincerely hoped that the next vital step is to proceed from words and promises to real effective action. The action taken must be effective to eradicate the serious problem of youngsters abusing of alcohol. It is not only heroin and cocaine that should be outlawed in rave parties, but also entrance to disco bars of underage youths.