Excessive beer drinking among youths irks NGO

Paradigm Zambia a non-profit making organization has bemoaned the excessive alcohol consumption in the country among the youths.

The organization whose is to reduce amongst Zambia’s youths the abuse of alcohol, drugs and substances and their harmful effects feels that alcohol consumption is retarding development in the country because people are continuously drinking beer instead of engaging themselves in productive activities.

Paradigm Zambia Operations Manager Chisenga Chimambo says there is need to regulate alcohol marketing in this country so as to reduce the excessive drinking.

Mr. Chimambo has reiterated his organization concern over alcohol abuse and the illicit alcohol trade in the country.

He tells q-news that it is for this reason that government should expedite the process of implementing the national alcohol, drugs and substance policy.

He says beer drinking was also rife amongst the adolescents, posing a great danger to their lives and future as they could not go to school.

Last year health minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya disclosed that his ministry will work with the civil society and other stakeholders to come up with an alcohol policy aim at regulating its abuse.