The Ministry of Health is surveying the links between alcohol use, gender and culture as it notes its increasing concerns about the lyrics in some popular music that glorify violence, alcohol use and abuse and other destructive behaviours.
In a press release the ministry said over the past two years, in particular, it has noted that some types of music glorify stigma, domestic and other forms of violence, sexual abuse, multiple sex partnerships and the misuse and abuse of alcohol and other illicit substances.
“The messages seem to suggest that the only way to have fun (“good time”) and the only way to ensure you are attractive to women is by misusing alcohol…,” Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said. The release said too these messages conflict with the messages it is presenting to the public to influence behaviour change.
“Although alcohol has been part of our culture for years and many people use it sensibly, its misuse has become a serious and worsening public health problem,” he said. Further, there is accumulating evidence that shows the negative effects of alcohol advertising, whether through commercials or songs, on the drinking attitudes and behaviours of young people. It also debunks the industry’s claims that advertising simply encourages drinkers to choose new brands, and artists and musicians claim that music is not for education and influencing behaviours, as research has shown that music does influence young people. “It pre-programmes them to drink, attracts new drinkers, invites drinkers to drink more and makes it hard for those who have problems to stop,” the release said.
In an effort to tackle the public health problems due to alcohol the ministry has collaborated with the Valencia Project to establish a surveillance system on alcohol and related injuries and issues related to gender, alcohol and culture.
The field work for the gender alcohol and culture survey has been completed in regions four and six and the alcohol injuries survey is set to be conducted during the next few months. A 2010 Global School Health Survey was also conducted and the results are currently awaiting analysis. The groups will also be incorporating the WHO STEPS survey to gather data on chronic diseases and all the related risk factors.
The ministry hosts an active Drug Demand Reduction and Rehabilitation Programme that is free of cost to the public.
The ministry also said it does not support any censure type of action but agreed that it, other ministries and stakeholders “must do a better job of counteracting these messages with our own positive messages.” Schools too must become involved in ensuring the right messages about alcohol are being promoted, the release said.
“Whilst I cannot see any positive thing to pursue a path of banning music, I do see benefits in discussing and debating the negative impact of some forms of music on our children and young people”, Ramsammy added.
