Virus and firewater
It looks as if tipplers, of all people, were ‘more equal than others’, in India’s Kerala State. Others are prohibited from venturing out during the current lockdown, and those who defy the ban, get beaten by the police mercilessly, in public. But alcoholics are given special treatment in Kerala; they can obtain passes to buy liquor if doctors certify that they are having withdrawal symptoms! Some guzzlers are reported to have taken their own lives, unable bend their elbows, prompting the state government to make liquor available to them, we are told. Indian doctors have flayed the government for its decision to issue liquor on prescription.
The Kerala government’s order which permits alcoholics to buy liquor says that following lockdowns and the closure of liquor outlets, there have been many instances of social issues including frustration and suicide tendencies among those who used to consume liquor regularly and, therefore, it has been decided to initiate steps to resolve the matter. Thus, the Kerala government has, in its wisdom, adopted a short cut, instead of addressing the real problem and helping the unfortunate alcoholics.
What is this world coming to when a government goes out of its way to allow tipplers to obtain liquor with the help of doctors? Kerala is the most literate State in India, but it is said to have the highest per capita liquor consumption. Literacy does not seem to have helped the Keralites prevent the bottle from getting the better of them.
The Kerala government’s controversial action, at issue, is counterproductive in that enabling guzzlers to consume liquor is tantamount to helping them kill themselves. If they are made to go alcohol free at least for a couple of weeks, their health might improve despite the initial withdrawal symptoms; their vital organs, especially damaged livers, must be badly in need of a rest.
Tipplers are not the only addicts who are suffering due to lockdowns, in India, or elsewhere. Most drug addicts have had to go cold turkey thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. They, too, must be having painful withdrawal symptoms as narcotics are said to be in short supply.
Druggies are also likely to resort to suicide or other forms of self-harm or cause problems for others. Several hapless women, in the poor quarters of the Colombo city, interviewed by a television channel, recently, urged the police to crack down on drug addicts including some of their own family members who had become a nuisance to them. Druggies will never be given special permission to chase the dragon. Instead, they will be taken to rehab centres for treatment and counselling if they turn violent due to withdrawal symptoms. Dipsomaniacs are no better than druggies, in most respects, and it defies comprehension why they should be given preferential treatment; they are also a nuisance to their families and society at large.
As for the alcoholics having severe withdrawal symptoms, which are said to drive them to suicide or other acts of self-harm, the solution is not to give them passes to buy firewater; they must be treated for addiction just like junkies. They should be taken to rehab centres urgently so that they will cease to be a problem for their families as well as themselves. This is the only way to help those who lack the willpower to kick the habit, or, at least remain sober for a few weeks.
The Kerala government’s order which permits alcoholics to buy liquor says that following lockdowns and the closure of liquor outlets, there have been many instances of social issues including frustration and suicide tendencies among those who used to consume liquor regularly and, therefore, it has been decided to initiate steps to resolve the matter. Thus, the Kerala government has, in its wisdom, adopted a short cut, instead of addressing the real problem and helping the unfortunate alcoholics.
What is this world coming to when a government goes out of its way to allow tipplers to obtain liquor with the help of doctors? Kerala is the most literate State in India, but it is said to have the highest per capita liquor consumption. Literacy does not seem to have helped the Keralites prevent the bottle from getting the better of them.
The Kerala government’s controversial action, at issue, is counterproductive in that enabling guzzlers to consume liquor is tantamount to helping them kill themselves. If they are made to go alcohol free at least for a couple of weeks, their health might improve despite the initial withdrawal symptoms; their vital organs, especially damaged livers, must be badly in need of a rest.
Tipplers are not the only addicts who are suffering due to lockdowns, in India, or elsewhere. Most drug addicts have had to go cold turkey thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. They, too, must be having painful withdrawal symptoms as narcotics are said to be in short supply.
Druggies are also likely to resort to suicide or other forms of self-harm or cause problems for others. Several hapless women, in the poor quarters of the Colombo city, interviewed by a television channel, recently, urged the police to crack down on drug addicts including some of their own family members who had become a nuisance to them. Druggies will never be given special permission to chase the dragon. Instead, they will be taken to rehab centres for treatment and counselling if they turn violent due to withdrawal symptoms. Dipsomaniacs are no better than druggies, in most respects, and it defies comprehension why they should be given preferential treatment; they are also a nuisance to their families and society at large.
As for the alcoholics having severe withdrawal symptoms, which are said to drive them to suicide or other acts of self-harm, the solution is not to give them passes to buy firewater; they must be treated for addiction just like junkies. They should be taken to rehab centres urgently so that they will cease to be a problem for their families as well as themselves. This is the only way to help those who lack the willpower to kick the habit, or, at least remain sober for a few weeks.
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