Should alcohol usage be controlled?
With globalization, there is an increase in acceptance and usage of alcohol. World Health report (2002) states that around 10 thousand million people regularly consume alcohol throughout the year. According to Room R, Jernigan D, et al, (2002), consumption of alcohol is increasing, especially among young people and women in low- and middle-income countries.
Consumption of alcohol is not new in our societies. It is debatable whether its consumption is good for health or not. Some believe that if consumed in limited quantity, it does not harm our bodies. It is good for the heart, prevents the risk of type 2 diabetes, avoids stones in the gall bladder, etc. On the other hand, many believe that too much consumption of alcohol can cause serious health issues such as dependency on alcohol, mental disorder, behavioural disorder, stroke, cardiovascular disease, liver failure, etc. which may further lead to death. Besides illness, the study also shows that most of the major road accidents happen in case of drink and driving. Domestic violence is another consequence faced by the family members of the person consuming alcohol. Thus, not only affecting the individual physically or mentally but also their families and societies.
The study showed that the factors that are responsible for the increase in alcohol consumption are at the individual and societal levels. Economy growth, the pattern of alcohol consumption in society, and availability and implementation of policies related to alcohol are a few factors at the society level leading to an increase in consumption. Whereas, at the individual level, factors include age, family circumstances, and socioeconomic status.
As mentioned, alcohol consumption not only affects the individual and society but also adversely affects the country’s economy. In India, the gain in alcohol sales was INR 216 billion every year. On the other hand, the government also faced an estimated loss of INR 244 billion due to the adverse effect of alcohol.
India has been severely affected by alcohol consumption and is not considered a problem. It is penetrating badly into our culture. The consequences of alcohol consumption on an Individual’s health, society, and economy of the country can be reduced if government defines and implements policies. As the Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic substances Act, (1985), provides the current framework for drug abuse control and sale in the country, a similar provision is required for the distribution and usage of alcohol.
References:
Room R, Jernigan D et al Alcohol and the development world: a public health perspective. Helsinki: Finish Foundation for Alcohol Studies, 2002.
Sahoo S., Narayana M., and Christoday R. J., 2010. Why do we need to control Alcohol use through legislative measures? A south Asia perspective? Indian journal of community medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2888346/.
Accessed on 17Sept 2022.
World Health Report 2002. Reducing risks, promoting healthy life. Available from: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2002/WHO_WHR_02.1.pdf. Accessed on 17 Sept 2022.
World Health Organization. 2022. Alcohol. Available from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol. Accessed on 20 Sept 2022.