Call for tougher laws against alcohol abuse

The parliamentary secretary in the Social Policy Ministry, Dolores Cristina, yesterday called on her government to take legislative measures to protect children from falling victim to alcohol abuse.

She said the law regulating the sale of alcohol from outlets and supermarkets should be amended and enforced.

Ms Cristina was addressing the launch of the pressure group Ghaqda Genituri, which is appealing for the upward revision of the minimum drinking age from 16 to 18 and a ban on the sale of alcohol to those under the minimum legal drinking age.

Outlining what she believes should be the role of government in this area, Ms Cristina said it should take the necessary steps to implement a national policy on alcohol after achieving consensus among the interested parties.

The government, she said, should encourage initiatives similar to the launch of the group, stimulating civil society to partner it in the drafting of preventive and therapeutic programmes.

Speaking also in her capacity as a mother, Ms Cristina said the government should focus on guaranteeing that its children received information and character formation on the subject of alcohol consumption, even in more informal environments and through the use of professionals in the field.

Her commitment must have pleased the association, which is composed of a group of concerned parents: Richard England, Philip Farrugia Randon, Godfrey Leone Ganado and Sir Richard Butler, on whose initiative it was born.

Binge drinking and alcohol abuse not only led to fatal traffic accidents, but also to drug dependency and the loss of an entire generation, who may never reach their full potential, Prof. England said.

The easy sale and availability of alcoholic beverages to under-age youths was a serious problem and the association proposed heavy penalties, including the suspension, or withdrawal of operating licences. Consumers should present their ID cards before being able to purchase alcohol, it suggested.

Prof. England also highlighted the danger of "glamourising" alcohol in marketing campaigns.

The group is embarking on an awareness campaign and its first TV spot should go on air later on in the year.

The level of alcohol consumption among 15- and 16-year-olds in Malta was the worst in Europe, even higher than Ireland, said Sir Richard, who has taken the initiative to focus his energies on the issue.

Among the worrying facts is that the earlier children start drinking, the greater the chance of serious dependency later.

Dr Farrugia Randon spoke of the need for a culture change. The consumption of alcohol was being depicted as the "key to having fun" and youths were resorting to alcohol more and more for their entertainment.

The association is being supported by Sedqa - the national agency against drug and alcohol abuse - whose chief executive, Sina Bugeja, quoted the 1999 ESPAD study, stating that 94 per cent of students reported drinking alcohol on more than one occasion.

The statistics were cause for concern, she said, adding that alcohol was a drug. The only difference was that it was legal, but it was still a major problem in society.

It was important to determine the cause of road accidents, Ms Bugeja said, pointing out that the breathalyser limit was too high in Malta (80mg) as opposed to the rest of Europe (50mg) and should be lowered.

Was it necessary to wait for a car crash before a breathalyser test was carried out, she asked.

Ghaqda Genituri is a non-profit-making organisation, which is initially being financed by the founders. It is open to everyone and, in fact, the Assocjazjoni Genituri Nharsu lill-Uliedna, which was set up five years ago, offered to join forces with it yesterday.

Contributions are welcome. The association may be contacted on e-mail ghg@di-ve.com, or at PO Box 74, Valletta, CMR 01.