The consumption of alcohol among young people continues to be a major problem in Dominica.
Acting Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Laura Esprit, said 46.9 percent of the Dominican population, 15 years and over, consume at least 60 grams or more of pure alcohol in 30 days in 2010.
She made this statement during a national consultation on a Strategic Plan for Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Prevention held at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) APU building on Wednesday.
The statistics are based on a 2014 World Health Organization (WHO) report on the global status of alcohol, according to Esprit.
“Also 8.1 percent of males and 3.1 percent of females suffered from some form of alcohol use disorder as compared to 3.8 percent males and 1.8 percent females who shows signs of alcohol dependence and harmful use of alcohol in the same year,” she said.
Esprit said the forgoing statistics are consistent with what was seen from a 2006 secondary school survey conducted by the National Drug Abuse Prevention Unit in Dominica.
According to that survery, “alcohol was the most widely used substance among the survey population followed by marijuana and tobacco cigarettes.”
“That 52.3 percent of the sample had used alcohol within 30 days prior to the survey, also marijuana was the most widely used elicit substance and that 11.5 percent of those surveyed were current marijuana users,” she said.
She stated that a larger population of male use both elicit and licit substances compared to their female counterparts.
Also she mentioned the impact of substance abuse on the family.
“We have seen instances where both the addict and his or her addiction becomes a burden for the family, financially and otherwise,” Dr. Esprit noted.
Alcohol consumption is just one of the signs of a Dying economy, frustrations and no work to do! We say the Country Nice Boyyyyy!
Signs of a Dying Economy!
There are many pensioners who are alcoholics. Boredom and loneliness could be a result of this. I am not specifically referring to those in Dominica.
If the friends of the youths drink, obviously it is encouraging. They also frequent entertainment areas where they are able to freely drink.
With God at the helm, the economy is not dying. I reiterate that in bygone years Dominica was in a worst shape. The Dominica of today has progressed. You do not see the progress or refuse to see it. Open your eyes and brains.
Not surprised at all cause in my village they are the last to leave the rum shop and the first to be back in the morning. Shop owners yes you want your rum sold but you need a cut off point.
For some, this example is set in the home; also at social gatherings. Youths of today are allowed to attend functions without parental supervision or other reliable supervision. They are also allowed to go out at nights until the early hours of the morning.
Happy hour should be discontinued. It is discontinued in Ontario of all. Bartenders must cease selling liquor to the patrons a few hours before closing time.
Should an accident occur which resulted in injuries and fatalities, the victims or their family will sue the drivers, the bar owners and the hostess of the social gatherings.
Liquor and beer are no longer advertised on TV or on billboards.
It is time to enact a liquor law in D/ca; also not selling liquor to minors. When purchasing liquor, if their age is questioned, they should produce proof of age.
Those caught selling liquor to minors will be charged. In some cases, their liquor license will be revoked.
The police will have to patrol undercover as well.
Well, someone has to tell the truth. The sad tale in free Dominica is that, alcohol and ganja is plentiful, and cheap. Most of the time the kids can get the alcohol free, while ganja is available to adults. After-all, what good soil Dominica has. How can l forget my last visit three months ago. Both alcohol and weed are so plentiful that l wondered if they knew the dangers of this poison. l was so surprised of who can get it, and how cheap it is. Well with this portrayal of the curse it is inflicting on the young especially, we can only hope that the government will intervene and save some lives.
This is a wake up call for DA .Statistics indicates explosion in mental cases in the near future
Policies needs to developed with appropriate regulations for control of sale of alcohol to minus
I suppose you meant “minors.”
This report confirms what I thought based on my observation the last time I was in Dominica for Creole Festival last year. Actually, my wife observed and commented on the number of kids (15 to 17 year old girls and boys) who we saw drinking at a bar on a street just behind Sutton Place Hotel.
Another thing that stood out was the number of run shops all over Dominica. We drove all along the southeastern side of Dominica and we could not find somewhere to eat until we reached Grandbay. However, if we wanted to drink alcohol, we would not go thirsty.
The findings do not surprise me in the least.
The most advertised commodity on radio and television in Dominica is alcohol. Every day there is a Happy Hour or a 3 for 5 or wet fete and people are surprised that Dominica is ranked NO. 4 in the world of alcohol consumption? Hypocrites!
Mamas are rubbing rum on their nipples so their babies sleep good.
The bad news is that, as a result, 53% of Dominica youth are sucking up rum and only 11% smokin’ ganja. Ganja she a non-violent shewey, alchol man they end up mangidin.