2 October 2022
I wrote and published the following letter more than 3 years ago, but from all accounts the situation in relation to the high level of the consumption of alcohol in the Solomon Islands has not changed and the health issues relating to high rates of alcohol use has diminished health improvements to the detriment of the local society.
Also the annual reports of the Commissioner of Police for 2020 and 2021 are still awaited to learn whether alcohol was a factor in the rise in sexual offences and domestic violence cases in those years
Quote.
The reported high consumption of alcohol in the Solomon Islands, and especially the very high consumption of the illegal home brew, known locally as kwaso, is causing serious health issues to the population, including –
· High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems
· Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, and colon.
· Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
· Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
· Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems, and unemployment.
· Alcohol dependence or alcoholism.
In addition,
Excessive alcohol most often the result of binge drinking brings about the following:
· Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, and burns.
· Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence.
· Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
· Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex . These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
End of quote.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
