1. 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 drugs.alcohol@yahoo.com Cell; 265(0)9930740 Drug Fight Malawi The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!

2. Drug Fight Malawi Introduction: 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. 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. In most areas people are found totally drunk as early as 6:00 hrs. In most areas people are found totally drunk as early as 6:00 hrs. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country!

3. Introduction 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. 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

4. Alcohol consumption&Poverty in Malawi While majority consume alcohol in Malawi, the country remains the least developed in Southern Africa and the 13th poorest country in the world (UNDP) While majority consume alcohol in Malawi, the country remains the least developed in Southern Africa and the 13th poorest country in the world (UNDP) There has to be many factors contributing to poverty in Malawi and alcohol consumption could be a silent but major contributing factor 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

5. Issue/Problem HIV transmission and Alcohol use; 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. 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. There is also an understanding that alcohol consumption foster acceleration to full brown AIDS for those already infected by HIV. 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

6. Issue/Problem Road accidents. 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. 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

7. Issue/Problem TB infection. TB patients are advised to avoid taking alcohol during treatment TB patients are advised to avoid taking alcohol during treatment The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

8. Issue/Problem The dwindling standards of education. 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. 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. Teaching while drunk makes teachers lose concentration and contributes to bad behavior to learners. 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

9. Issue/Problem Increase of murder cases. In the Nation Newspaper of Wednesday of 22nd December, 2007, the judiciary in Malawi lamented on the increase of murder cases which were linked to harmful use of alcohol. In the Nation Newspaper of Wednesday of 22nd December, 2007, the judiciary in Malawi lamented on the increase of murder cases which were linked to harmful use of alcohol. Most of these cases occur in drinking places and in homes (GBV). Most of these cases occur in drinking places and in homes (GBV). The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

10. Issue/Problem General health problems. General health problems. 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. 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. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

11. Issue/Problem Productivity Productivity Those who take alcohol, their work performance is affected through absenteeism, unruly behavior during developmental meetings and or unable to adhere to working standards. Those who take alcohol, their work performance is affected through absenteeism, unruly behavior during developmental meetings and or unable to adhere to working standards.

12. Short summary It is evident enough therefore (despite lack of country wide evidence based information) that alcohol consumption affects developmental initiatives. It is evident enough therefore (despite lack of country wide evidence based information) that alcohol consumption affects developmental initiatives. Alcohol related problems not only reduce the safety and quality of life, it is also a source of substantial expense. 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

13. Strategies to reduce harm from alcohol consumption Community empowerment is essential Community empowerment is essential Coordinated approach of all spheres Coordinated approach of all spheres Use of Alcohol Policy Use of Alcohol Policy The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

14. Strategies to reduce harm from use of Alcohol 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. 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

15. Need for alcohol policy 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. 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. 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 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 Strategies to reduce harm from alcohol consumption The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

16. Advocacy National Alcohol Policy Conferences Two conferences have been held and came out with the following; 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 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. 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

17. Advocacy Put in place a Task Force Committee which is composed of all sectors of society Some functions of the Task Force Committee on Alcohol Policy; 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

18. What are some of the challenges? Inadequate expertise on alcohol prevention activities Inadequate expertise on alcohol prevention activities Resources. Resources. Slow acceptance by community on the harm of alcohol consumption Slow acceptance by community on the harm of alcohol consumption Alcohol industry based policy Alcohol industry based policy The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

19. Recommendations Sustained and coordinated multi-sectoral approach. Sustained and coordinated multi-sectoral approach. Reliable source of funding Reliable source of funding Cooperation among stakeholders Cooperation among stakeholders Increased Government and political will Increased Government and political will Consultation meetings Consultation meetings The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

20. Recommendations Capacity building. Capacity building. Conducting Nation wide base line survey. Conducting Nation wide base line survey. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

21. 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

22. The end! The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi Thank you for the attention Thank you for the attention

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24. Advocacy The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi

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30. The Work towards Sustainable Development of the Country! Drug Fight Malawi