Drug Fight Malawi DRUG FIGHT MALAWI Mobilization for
Drug Fight Malawi DRUG FIGHT MALAWI Mobilization for a broad National consultation processes on Alcohol Policies; conclusion from an NGO initiatives Crossroads Hotel –Malawi 12 th November, 2008 By: Nelson B. Zakeyu Executive Director-Drug Fight Malawi Email; drugs. alcohol@yahoo. com Cell; 265(0)9930740 The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Introduction: n Alcohol consumption is not a crime in most parts of the world, Malawi inclusive. In Malawi, alcohol is consumed almost everywhere by youths, men and women. n In most areas people are found totally drunk as early as 6: 00 hrs. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Introduction n Alcohol is consumed any time, any place e. g. bars/pubs, restaurants, homes etc and is regarded as a tradition in some parts of the country. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Alcohol consumption&Poverty in Malawi n While majority consume alcohol in Malawi, the country remains the least developed in Southern Africa and the 13 th poorest country in the world (UNDP) n There has to be many factors contributing to poverty in Malawi and alcohol consumption could be a silent but major contributing factor The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Issue/Problem HIV transmission and Alcohol use; n People who are drunk tend to have their reasoning capacity lowered hence can easily fall into temptations of engaging in unprotected sex. In most cases, prostitutes are found at alcohol drinking places. n There is also an understanding that alcohol consumption foster acceleration to full brown AIDS for those already infected by HIV. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Issue/Problem Road accidents. n Malawi has of late witnessed increase in cases of road accidents where lots of lives are lost. The police have often linked most of the road accidents to driving under the influence of alcohol. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Issue/Problem TB infection. n TB patients are advised to avoid taking alcohol during treatment The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Issue/Problem The dwindling standards of education. n Rudeness, acts of violence and destructions by pupils and students in schools and colleges affect the learning environment and contribute to decline in the quality of education. n Teaching while drunk makes teachers lose concentration and contributes to bad behavior to learners. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Issue/Problem Increase of murder cases. n In the Nation Newspaper of Wednesday of 22 nd December, 2007, the judiciary in Malawi lamented on the increase of murder cases which were linked to harmful use of alcohol. n Most of these cases occur in drinking places and in homes (GBV). The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Issue/Problem General health problems. n Other health personnel link the consumption of alcohol as one of the underlying causes of major health problems. Harmful use of alcohol not only contributes to diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis etc, but it also affects the health of the family and community in different ways e. g. malnutrition. Drunkards prioritize their spending on alcohol than basic needs at home. n The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Issue/Problem Productivity n Those who take alcohol, their work performance is affected through absenteeism, unruly behavior during developmental meetings and or unable to adhere to working standards.
Drug Fight Malawi Short summary n It is evident enough therefore (despite lack of country wide evidence based information) that alcohol consumption affects developmental initiatives. n Alcohol related problems not only reduce the safety and quality of life, it is also a source of substantial expense. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Strategies to reduce harm from alcohol consumption n Community empowerment is essential n Coordinated approach of all spheres n Use of Alcohol Policy The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Strategies to reduce harm from use of Alcohol n It is good to note that some organizations in Malawi are realizing the need to take part in prevention activities on the harm from alcohol consumption. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Strategies to reduce harm from alcohol consumption Need for alcohol policy n It is common knowledge that for all alcohol activities to be carried out more effectively and smoothly there is a need for a regulatory framework. n It is to this effect that Drug Fight Malawi has taken the initiative of mobilizing various stakeholders to engage and influence the formulation of the National Alcohol Policy The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Advocacy National Alcohol Policy Conferences n Two conferences have been held and came out with the following; - Agreed that there is a need for Malawi Government to formulate the alcohol policy n Endorsed the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security as a lead Ministry, after considering the role of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Drug Control chaired by the Ministry. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Advocacy Put in place a Task Force Committee which is composed of all sectors of society n Some functions of the Task Force Committee on Alcohol Policy; - To link all civil society organizations with the lead Ministry - Responsible for planning of consultations meetings - To coordinate consultations processes The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi What are some of the challenges? n Inadequate expertise on alcohol prevention activities n Resources. n Slow acceptance by community on the harm of alcohol consumption n Alcohol industry based policy The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Recommendations n Sustained and coordinated multi-sectoral approach. n Reliable source of funding n Cooperation among stakeholders n Increased Government and political will n Consultation meetings The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Recommendations n Capacity building. n Conducting Nation wide base line survey. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Conclusion. - For sustainable development of the country, prevention of alcohol consumption has to be among the prioritized issues. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi The end! n Thank you for the attention The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi - The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi Advocacy The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
Drug Fight Malawi The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!
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