Plea for plans to reduce harmful drinking

Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - A small group from Sahara (Smoking Alcohol Harms Alleviation and Rehabilitation Association) picketed in front of the George Civic Centre on Thursday 10 February to create awareness of the importance of changing liquor laws to help reduce harmful alcohol consumption.

The heartfelt plea of Sahara founder Dr Hermann Reuter, who was among the picketers, is for Government to act more decisively to reduce harmful alcohol consumption.

Reuter said the temporary restrictions to manage the Covid-19 waves have demonstrated that stronger legislation is effective in reducing harmful drinking. It has helped reduce the immense impact of alcohol-related trauma incidents on the emergency centre.

The centre is inundated, especially over weekends. Fetal alcohol syndrome is also a consequence of harmful drinking.

"What is needed is permanent legislative change and not reactive temporary measures that do not deal with social challenges effectively and consistently," said Reuter.

The Sahara group picketed the day before the State of the Nation Address (Sona) to add their voices to a petition from Saapa SA (Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in South Africa) to President Cyril Ramaphosa to make clear what the government plans to do to address harmful alcohol consumption.

Saapa director Maurice Smithers said in a statement last week that addressing alcohol harm must top Government's agenda. "We are very concerned about the glaring absence of any direct reference to addressing alcohol harm in the ANC NEC's January 8 statement, as delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa."

Smithers said the NEC's statement of last year was very direct in addressing drug and alcohol abuse, which is a major contributing factor to the violence and misery plaguing communities. The President also stated in January 2021 that increasing the age limit, reducing hours of trade, raising the tax on alcohol and limiting advertising should all be considered as interventions to reduce the impact of harmful drinking.

VIDEO: Plea for change in liquor laws

No progress has however been made to change legislation. The Liquor Amendment Bill that was approved by Cabinet for public comment in 2016 still has to be tabled in Parliament and in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The bill contains a number of significant recommendations for reducing alcohol consumption.

Saapa SA has written to the President in this regard.

Members of Sahara made their voices heard on Thursday 10 February to create awareness of harmful alcohol consumption ahead of the Sona. Photos: Alida de Beer