The palmyra trees and coconut trees are in great demand since some governments have legalised producing toddy from the flowers of the trees. These pots collect the juice in pots, which when fermented become toddy with alcohol content similar to beer or little more. The toddy is an intoxicating drink of the poor people.
A recent statistics suggest that about 60 percent of adult men in Kerala would drink alcohol regularly, which is at least once a week. This number has increased to this level in the last the years. The number of men attending hospitals with alcoholic cirrhosis has doubled during the same period according to a Gastroenterologist.
The government gains from the sales tax collection through the sale of alcohol products. With the alcohol consumption increasing the governments gain more taxes. They gain at the cost of others.
I hear and read the jargon in government circles, that we intend alcohol to be consumed by people above 18 years of age that too in moderation. The reality is far from it. People soon become indulgent once they get into the habit of drinking, as it has an addictive property for which incremental amount of alcohol needs to be consumed.
I wonder whether we can among our own circle of friends, initiate dialogue about alcohol consumption and find ways to help people from getting into addiction and getting out of addiction!
This addiction drains people monetarily and lands them in debt; it reduces their work efficiency; it precipitates struggles at home; it affects the moral behaviour of children at home; and it is a health hazard linked to many diseases.
The book of Proverbs(.23:29-35) in the Old Testament of the Bible, has this to say about alcohol: ‘...Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In th send it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper….'
Those of us who are teetotallers ought to be more involved in supporting people going through stress, pain, struggles, loneliness, etc. as most people try alcohol as an emotional pacifier, but do not find relief from the reasons that push them into this habit.
Friendships and caring counselling treat the cause and equip people to cope better. It brings healing and well being. This is an initiative that should come from volunteers!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
A recent statistics suggest that about 60 percent of adult men in Kerala would drink alcohol regularly, which is at least once a week. This number has increased to this level in the last the years. The number of men attending hospitals with alcoholic cirrhosis has doubled during the same period according to a Gastroenterologist.
The government gains from the sales tax collection through the sale of alcohol products. With the alcohol consumption increasing the governments gain more taxes. They gain at the cost of others.
I hear and read the jargon in government circles, that we intend alcohol to be consumed by people above 18 years of age that too in moderation. The reality is far from it. People soon become indulgent once they get into the habit of drinking, as it has an addictive property for which incremental amount of alcohol needs to be consumed.
I wonder whether we can among our own circle of friends, initiate dialogue about alcohol consumption and find ways to help people from getting into addiction and getting out of addiction!
This addiction drains people monetarily and lands them in debt; it reduces their work efficiency; it precipitates struggles at home; it affects the moral behaviour of children at home; and it is a health hazard linked to many diseases.
The book of Proverbs(.23:29-35) in the Old Testament of the Bible, has this to say about alcohol: ‘...Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In th send it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper….'
Those of us who are teetotallers ought to be more involved in supporting people going through stress, pain, struggles, loneliness, etc. as most people try alcohol as an emotional pacifier, but do not find relief from the reasons that push them into this habit.
Friendships and caring counselling treat the cause and equip people to cope better. It brings healing and well being. This is an initiative that should come from volunteers!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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