Alcohol industry also has a responsibility 

Dear Editor,

The KW editorial of 30th June rightfully draws attention to the issues of alcohol and other drug use among children in Guyana. The Ministry of Health did not mention if the children were consuming home-made liquor or the products of the alcohol industry. The editorial in calling for the response from “coordinated national response involving schools, parents, health professionals, law enforcement agencies and community organisations” did not call for the responsibility of the alcohol industry which profits from the children’s consumption of alcohol.  A long time ago one company did try to have posters in shops and so where their products were sold saying no sales to children, but it seems that campaign ended quickly.

In addition, how can Guyana be dealing with the problems of consumption of alcohol and other drugs by children and young people, without dealing with the problems of consumption of alcohol and other drugs by adults.  When OneGuyana is closely branded with the alcohol industry for so  many events, why would any child or youth not want to participate in that OneGuyana? Most of us as children and young people were quick to see hypocrisy in the adults around us. 

Do the adults who want to stop children from consuming alcohol, do  they themselves consume alcohol? 

Yours sincerely,

Vidyaratha Kissoon