Research and Information Officer in the National Drug Abuse Prevention Office, Martha Jarvis has said Dominica ranks fourth in the world in terms of alcohol consumption per capita.
She made that statement during a presentation at a national consultation on a Strategic Plan for Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Prevention held at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) building on Wednesday.
“When we do the comparative studies, Dominica tends to be running in front in terms of alcohol consumption,” Jarvis said. “Dominica ranked fourth in the world in terms of consumption per capita with alcohol.”
She noted that Dominicans tend to consume alcohol at many occassions.
“There is a christening, alcohol; somebody dies, alcohol; somebody gets married, alcohol; somebody performs well at common entrance, alcohol,” she stated. “So when you hatch, when you match and when you dispatch, alcohol.”
She stated a lot needs to be done in tackling alcohol consumption.
A report in 2012 by the World Health Organization ranked Dominica among the top five global alcohol consuming countries.
Perhaps the most important and dangerous aspect has been left out.
Many, many Dominican workmen in Dominica take a concoction of stout/Guinness and egg before starting work.
I have seen Many bus drivers do this or driving school children while holding a bottle of beer in one hand and many transporting tourist by land or sea tours feel that there is nothing wrong with drinking and driving or sharing the alcoholic drinks being served to the tourist.
I spoke about this in 2009 and suggested an increase in the ‘sin tax’.
a country cannot move on while intoxicated
“What about other countries like he USA which has a population of 3 hundred million people? People are consuming alcohol every day–for all sorts of reasons.” (Elizabeth Xavier).
Former friend Elizabeth; I accept that I am a fool according to you: I know I cannot spell; however, what I do know is that the population of the United States is estimated at 322,583,006 live people as of July 1 2014.
And by the way it is not “he” USA; it should be “the” you perfect one, I knew you do not know how to read and right oui!
No wonder our Prime Minister does what ever he wants and no one barks…. every body is drunk and unaware of what is happening in the country. They will sober off when they realise that their country is sold to Chinesei!!!
Is it Dominican Republic or domiinica? Don’t believe that. Come again
Ms. Jarvis Dominica IS NOT ranked fourth in alcohol consumption per capita and DNO the WHO NEVER ranked Dominica in among the top 5 global alcohol consuming countries. Bad research leads to wrong information being communicated. A simple Google search will give us the 2011 and 2014 WHO report on alcohol and health. PDF files. Please quote from these documents where it mentions such. The sad thing is we bloggers don’t do our due diligence and then come uttering nonsense.
However the stats are bad for DA because it suggest that we consume a total of 7.1 l per capita made up of 13.7% BEER, 7.1% WINE, and astonishingly 77.9% SPIRITS. In the Caribbean our consumption of SPIRITS is only surpassed by Haiti (6.4 l per capita) at 99.6% spirits, 0.2% beer, 0.2% wine. Our sister island are doing the opposite consuming more beer and wine and less spirits. NOW the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and fourth leading countries are ranked at 17.5 l, (Belarus) 16.8 l (Moldova), 15.4 l (Lithuania), 15.1 l…
I did not believe that Dominica would be targeted as such. Someone made an error.
I don’t believed that report …so how come they don’t show the original report like they usually do.so we can read ourselves the orginal report then we can see all the countries where they rank …put the link of that report DNO
People do your research. While it is clear that we consume a lot of alcohol in Dominica, it is misleading to say that the country ranks fourth in the world per capita. Check WHO stats dominica is way down the list. Some other organizations don’t even mention dominica. Heck the Internet.
Here is a brief!
Alcoholism is a term used to denote a variety of conditions involving alcohol abuse or dependence (DSM lll -R, Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders). Alcoholism in its many forms are considered to be a major drug problem in almost all Western societies. Problems related to abuse of alcohol are both immediate, and long term; it adversely affects the physical, spiritual, social, and mental health of the individual and the integrity of the society in which the individuals; he or she lives.
Once viewed as a moral problem, alcoholism has been redefined as a disease. Associated Pathologies:
Alcohol is a toxic drug that is harmful to all of the body tissues; protracted use can lead to a host of pathologic changes in the central nervous system; the liver which detoxifies the drug, and the heart, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract.
Although cirrhosis of the liver is the most recognized complication of alcoholism, research indicates that intellectual impairment…
I think this is a critical issue, and would like to input just a bit more on the subject by saying:
Certainly, intellectual impairment occurs in the early stages of the disease, and permanent, and disabling brain damage eventually occurs. Prolonged and abusive intake of alcohol coupled with nutritional depletion, and thiamine deficiency produces wernicke korsakoff syndrome.
New born infants of mothers who drink heavily during pregnancy are susceptible to fetal alcohol syndrome.
The interrelationship between alcohol, and hepatic disease is not completely understood. Some people still dispute whether cirrhosis associated with alcohol abuse (Laennec’s cirrhosis) results from the direct hepatotoxic effects of alcohol, or from malnutrition associated with chronic alcohol abuse.
With All the Social and Economic Maladies in this Country, what else to do? One can hardly turn to the Institutions that are suppose to impart and encourage positive things. Religion, education, political, judiciary and family systems have failed or failing. What else do you expect to happen? Pretty soon and it is has already started we will be ranked in the top when it comes to crime. JUST SAYING AS IT IS.
DNO this headline is misleading. I have looked at the statistics and the information observed from these statistics shows Dominica 4th among caribbean countries not the WORLD. 1. Grenada 2. St. Kitts 3. St.Lucia and 4. Dominica. In world ranking Dominica is no where close to the top.
Dominica is actually 5th, with a 7.1 litre per capita consumption. 1. Grenada 12.5 2. St. Lucia 10.4 3. St.Kitts 8.2 4 Guyana 8.1 5. Dominica 7.1…
You are only relating to the Caribbean, the article headline actually says Dominica is fourth in the WORLD and that is not correct.
I don’t know where the good lady got her statistics from but according to the WHO (report published in 2014) the projected alcohol consumption for Dominica (litres per capita per year) for 2015 is projected at 6.6, the same as for Trinidad and Tobago but less than St. Vincent & the Grenadines at 7.2, Guyana at and St.Kitt & Nevis at 7.0, Venezuela at 8.3 and the good old U.S.A. at 9.0
It would be helpful, for comparison purposes if she were to disclose her source of information.
number 4 !!! not bad !! I guess we can even do better. when you are happy : you celebrate and drink.
when thing are bad : you don’t celebrate you drink to forget…and you drink more !! do you think Dominican have excuses to celebrate ??
Boy that’s alarming! Dominica ranked fourth in world alcohol consumption per capita? Not even in the OECS but in the world? I wonder where we were ranked before Skerrit became PM in 2004, because although I know Dominicans have always liked a party where they can drink, I also realized that in the last 12-15 years under Skerrit, the consumption of alcohol has tripled. Another interesting trend I have noticed is whereas before Skerrit mostly men in their 50’s would drink along with some older women such is not the case today as our young teenage boys as well as girls drink and get drunk as well as those in their 20’s. However, it is not difficult to figure this one out. When people are not working, do not see a future in Dominica under this administration, banana and agriculture was killed and buried, what do you do? How do you cope with this? More people are on the street and home, more time on hand to do nothing, then they turn to zaeed and rum since that’s what they can afford.
I was once a teenager and a student. The teenage boys and girls of today have too much freedom and to go out at nights and in parties. This is one place they get initiated with liquor.
Where are their parents? Do they not have control over them? What discipline have those teenagers received?
Cease placing the blame on the government.
Tell us more that another government would do better. Wishful thinking. You too are deceived.
abuse of minors, high alcoholic consumption, murderers go free, an unaccountable government….Dominica, what are you becoming?
People education yourself. Alcohol consumption causes a slew of problems; liver damage, low birth weight, high blood pressure, liver cirrhosis and hepatitis, anxiety to name a few. Please don’t “Blame It on The Alcohol” blame yourself. Young people are very impressionable, social media have them going crazy, entertainers glamorizing alcohol, and It’s Five O’clock somewhere all they see is happy people drinking and socializing they don’t understand what is going on. Educate the young people. Each one, teach one. Public speaking forum about the abuse of alcohol and other illicit substances would shed some light. Just my two cents. Forget Happy Hour, implement after-school activities, young people clubs, computer clubs, arts and craft, and so on.
total gabagge that is lack of jobs causing ppl to consume all dat alcohol, i want to know where jobless ppl finding money to go by banana tree, melvinas, kubuli bar, darvos, iron monkey ect to buy alcohol, where people lacking jobs getting money to party all weekend and go all fet is have. some of all u needs to think before all u comment on a post, things tight true and alcohol is a good way for jobless ppl to forget their sorrows but 90% of al the alcohol consumed in da is working ppl dat drinking it
Great comment. Haha. I really love your name.
Young people dying from alcoholic complications and not even diagnosed because of the poor healthcare system. There will be a rash of cirrhotics in the next 10 years . You will see a rapid decline in life expectancy in Dominica when these young men start dying at age 50 of alcohol related complications. THIS IS A CRISIS
The government is funding local bars in the country and driving around buying ” rounds” for their supporters.
Interesting. that would suggests Dominica out drinks all of Europe.
The UK, Russia and the USA.
Go Dominica
Is that i saying. This is totally rediculous.
To be honest am a Dominican but do not reside their but visits quite often, honestly am a bit proud of that number, because from my personal observation i thought we were no1 or no2, honestly.
rum rum rum…njo work we drinking to ease up de frustration….they buidling wall for 10 weeks….after no work we drinking rum to ease u de frustration
The survey may be very accurate because of Dominica’s small population it my reflect a better number than samples of larger populations.
as de country tight dere now if we doe drink is not pressure nah
Life is so sweet for us Blessed Labourites, we can’t help but to celebrate. Our Party is in power, our Great PM is still bringing in the big bucks and we’re eating! And when I say eating, I mean EATING!!! With all that eating we must have something nice to wash it down
You must imagine that Dominica’s alcohol consumption is high given the amount of celebrations going on in Labourites’ homes, villages, towns, etc.. On the other side of the coin, you have the sore losers of the Opposition Party drowning their sorrows, regrets, jealousies and hunger for power in bottles and bottles of rum and beer. These are the ones that need the attention of the psychiatric unit. They want change but are not willing to work for it. They want to transform a country with no money. A bunch of drunks!
U sound really ignorant.
Yes we are 4th, number 1 in the Caribbean I wld think. I see people blamin the state of the country, bad ads, terrible teachings by adult an even depression.
I dont see why we are so suprised … I mean no offence, its the Caribbean.
We sell party and advertise freedom so relax, its not about the amount, it is about the when, of drinking.
Enjoy your placement, we have been 4th for sometime …years maybe
…Per Capita.
If Dominica has 70,000 people and 40,000 are consuming alcohol. it means about 57% of the population.
If Cuba has 2,000,000 people and 1,000,000 are consuming alcohol, That means 50% of the population, and so on. That shows Dominica ranks higher, which means Dominica coming fourth is this exercise is a joke…the population is too small to say crap like that.
Where did they reap this information? How was this statistic determined?
Fourth in the world or in the Caribbean? The others should be named as also the first to the third.
I do not believe that. They will have to present additional statistics and names of countries.
People in progressive countries drink a lot whether it is per capita. So where did those countries place?
@The Facts April 29, 2015
I agree with you my lady! I just don’t see how they arrive at those kinds of statistic. We are a very small community and there is no way that even half of us consume alcohol–much more for the 100% of us.
For example Toronto is only one City of Ontario, one of ten the provinces in Canada. And yet Toronto has almost 3 million people–just the city itself–Canada’s population is past 35 million people. I would like them to show me how they arrive at Dominica with 10 Parishes consuming more alcohol than Canada with 10 Provinces.
What about other countries like he USA which has a population of 3 hundred million people? People are consuming alcohol every day–for all sorts of reasons.
How do they rank Dominica with the “World”–for any aspect of Life on the whole? Those kinds of statistics are downright fallible–I ain’t buying it not for 1 penny!
This is no good news.
That is what I have been saying. The churches need to address this and other social ills prevalent in Dominican society rather than focus on lyrics of foreign artist. The issues are already in Dominica Alkaline is not going to bring them with him.
Well, at least we are good at something. Nature island is booz island, We should have more vendors at events, selling alcohol to no matter whom. Everybody applying for a liquor license getting it, no questions asked, is revenue for govt. and stops people thinking.
Number 1 ?
Number 2 ?
Number 3 ?
Name the countries please.
Anything that alters your brain is a drug, be it Rum, Coke, Crack, Meth, Heroin ETC and I estimate that there is a lot more PARO RUM THAN PARO CRACK in DA.. Both do destroy life’s in all form, left said its an addiction.. Lets have or get together a Twelve step program in DOMINICA for the still suffering addicts out there in our beloved country Dominica..
Well fourth thats great am going to celebrate since its every ocasion we drink just had a johny blk and coconut water
I am ashamed as a citizen country with only 70000 we rank 4 per capital that indicates that alcohol we consumed twice the amount per capital for united states which has over 600 million and other European countries. This report is for rum (spirit) not wine that is even more daunting. I making this claim so pro alcohol user wont say wine is included only rummm my gosh we go to do better see another source
http://www.livescience.com/18493-global-alcohol-consumption-top-countries.html
oh by the way is there a correlation between a bad economy and rum drinking?
laba Kah twavay again
Wehh garcon. you mean to tell me now that dominica almost come first in something it is for drinking rum?
Oh really? So where did places like Russia and Ireland place?
And perhaps this report is based on alcohol sold in bars ,shops etc. But in places like Russia and Ireland, the report can hardly put a number to those whose favourite drinks come from an illegal stills.
Long before politicians, Dominicans were taking their regular “Gwog.” All over the country men (and many women) would have a ‘shoot’ after coffee at the crack of dawn to face the cold mountains and river crossings. Then by 4 0’clock when they get back from the ‘jadin,’ taken of their bowman clothes, have a bath, put on their street clothes the men pass the rest of thei time away at the rum shop. When the wrong people and situations are blamed for everything that is wrong, we never find solutions. It seems as if blaming politicians is some people’s claim to fame.
Not all Dominicans drank. There were some who never did. My parents never drank. Our household hardly had a bottle of liquor. The exception could be probably for certain holidays, when some people visited.
I saw my father offer one of his contemporaries who visited on a Feast Day after Holy Mass, “a cup of coffee”. This person did not drink.
To my knowledge, youths in those days did not drink. If some did, it was in secret. When we attended teenage dances, there was no liquor. We drank soft drinks. Those dances were monitored by teachers.
The teenagers of today are a different lot to those of yesteryear. They are allowed to go out. They go anywhere unsupervised.
High unemployment, frustration, and a broken and bruised country.
There was as high unemployment in those days. Why did so many migrate to the US and UK of all; also to Canada and the USVI and other parts of the world? You should know that some of them migrated long before DLP was in power.
I have stated, the number of D/cans who reside abroad, if they all returned at the same time, they would sink Dominica.
Unemployed Dominicans and the poor did not receive a cent from the government in those days; especially the unemployed. Those who were unemployed were dependent on their family.
The problem with some of you, you are now depending on the government rather than on yourselves. You people of today are far more fortunate than D/cans in those days. I have noted some of you are not kind people and lack appreciation. You give your country, yourself and other nationals a bad name.
You also need to learn the virtue of gratitude.
That’s the next level dlp talking about. Another feather in their cap. Some of them cannot believe their luck. As if we don’t know this is a direct consequence of an incompetent government. some will smile at all the 1st that Dominica claims to gets but cannot accept this 4th place. Solusion 101: fix the damn economy, give the people jobs.
Too drunk to work
And this appears to be the epidemic now sweeping the entire Caribbean.
When all else fails and the people of this country look around and see the lack of jobs, the lack of any great prospect, person turn to escapism. This in the form of taking comfort in a bottle reeks havoc on society and Dominica to a greater extent.
Everyday person are reminded about alcohol by the numerous adverts aired on every radio station in the country. This is setting a very bad example and it needs to stop. the government should be looking to countries such as the UK to see how they have tackled drinking problems. One way of tackling this problem would be to ban adverts of alcohol before 9pm, education of the harmful effects of alcohol and last but not least, a robust approach to drink and drive offences. The law needs to be amended for drink drivers and breathalysers should be introduced.
Just how many accidents are attributed to drink driving? No one knows but I can assure you that it is higher than we think. Some people still think that they drive better intoxicated…
I agree with your observation of this new disgusting practice in the morning when alcohol is advertised on the radio. Do we need a law to guide us on this?
Alcohol causes more havoc in homes and in society than marijuana, (though I am not supporting widespread use of marijuana) yet we put more effort in measures to control marijuana.
Anything that earns us a dollar is fair game, sale of alcohol, our passports, visas for haitiens to name but a few. No wonder rapists and child molesters and sexual harassers are bold face enough to offer their victim money for their silence.
WAKE UP MY PEOPLE AND TAKE CONTROL OF OUR DOMINICA EVEN IF FOR THE SAKE OF OUR YOUNG CHILDREN.
I think they just came up with a statistic which would draw people’s attention .. can’t be facts
Was thinking the same…
No I do not see any Dominica local Rum in the pictures so what I can say to this is they made a mistake with the country, no red cap, no spice, no rosemary etc
You get my point
The truth is a stubborn thing. The reason for the alarming rate of alcohol consumption is very much influenced by unemployment and a non productI’ve economy. Every time i return to Dominica (3 tomes a year) i am always concerned and disturbed by the high level of alcholics. Young men that were school mates and class mates are asking for money to drink their frustration away. It breaks my heart and I often say to myself that I could have easily been a victim of the circumstance. Too much unemployment and the blame must be on the people charged with the responsibility of making life much better for the people. It is time to hold politicians accountable cause a rum and coke during election only encourages alcholics and destroys morale and independence.
something needs to be done to safe guard the new generation. Too much mendicancy, idlenesd and consequent alcholicsm.
Truly hurtful and sad.
It is essential that this is put into perspective, Remember this is per capita, the population of Dominica is less than any small town i a large country, so if a large number of Dominicans consume alcohol the number would be correct.
Alcohol is also very accessible to people of all ages and this does provide more reasons for consuming alcohol
It may be the drug of choice due to affordability and accessibility.
It is not always attributed to unemployment and the economy. The employed drink and especially at weekends.
I am curious as to how one derives at these statistics . I am not doubting that we do consume a lot of booze . So does all the rest of the Caribbean. What about South America ? Does one go house to house to do this research ? Please explain to us how one came to this conclusion ?
dfr is quite simply check ministry of trade they got the figures for the yearly volume of alcohol that is imported simple maths and divide by population
Don’t quote me on this…but I they probably looked at total sales of alcohol divided by adult population. The rate of consumption on a measure like this would give a fairly reasonable calculation.
This is so funny, a joke right! Little Dominica, 63,000 population. Princess Margaret Hospital’s Psychiatric unit is so small. I think we should be looking at drug abuse!! All the young men with scooters, Mercedes, gold chains around their necks, earrings in their ears! A total Joke, rolling around laughing……………………………………….
Oh the police have no idea who is a drug dealer, however, they know who is an alcoholic!! Sorry I am laughing too much. .
This ain’t no joke Bro. If it was only during the rights of passage mentioned that alcohol was consumed it wouldn’t be such a worrisome thing..Fact is, many folks all over the Country consume booze on a daily basis like a replacement for water, and that allow others to follow their lead and the result is chronic alcoholism…they believe alcohol is a panacea for depressed states of being, but that is the opposite…it is really a DEPRESSANT!…. irresponsible drinkers beware..
We know that! Who is first?
Drowning the economic sorrows in alcohol !!! When ever an economy is depressed the consumption rate of alcohol increases thats a known fact. Just ask Putin why he lowered the price of vodka when the Ruble reached an all time low. Easy way to easy up the frustration.
When all Yugo and vote and put the country underwater what al you expect. When young people getting victimize and the money not flowing Let the waters flow. It eases up he pressure for a night or two. And you missing something’ when politicians want vote is alcohol too’ “De gulf”
Yugo was a cheap little car made in the former republic of Yugoslavia. maybe there is a similarity?
I don’t believe this report…..
When the PM offers Bwa Bande to US diplomats with remarks about improving performance you should believe it.
i dont blive it either….
mayb if this stated in the caribbean then that could pass but in the world, chupz .. come again wi