Dear Editor,
It is only through the deaths of two boys that there are hints of the problem of the under-age consumption of alcohol in Guyana. One case which has been reported is a suicide, and another is a murder. In the reports of both cases, it seems there was a cultural acceptance that it was okay for persons below the age of 18 to have a few drinks.
There are other narratives which reports carry of people in acts of violence ‒ drink it seems fuels the rage. There is no news though of any effort to change our culture that drinking is okay, that selling alcohol and having drinks with boys and girls is okay. Instead, there is more aggressive sponsorship of events which attract young people, including sports events. There is greater defence of the industry. There is mockery of attempts to challenge consumption and to urge that all of us are involved, regardless of how well we hold our drinks in ensuring that we can reduce the problems caused by this culture.
The children and others who die though, or who are maimed are collateral damage; it seems to be the society’s sickening desire to have a good time with a glamourised substance which has not been good for many persons.
Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon