Almost half of country’s population consumes alcohol: Experts

In a surprising revelation, experts have said almost half of Nepal’s 25 million population consumes alcohol thus not only straining the country’s health budget but giving rise to social tension.

According to Mark D Zimmerman, medical director of Patan Hospital, close to half of the population has given to the habit of using alcohol, among them, 10 percent are use it daily.

Alcohol consumption is prevalent among most ethnic groups and alcohol abuse is one of the major problems in the country, The Rising Nepal daily quoted him as saying.

Records show that alcohol has been an ever-growing industry in Nepal and its production has increased by nearly 600 per cent over the last 10 years period.

Zimmerman said that alcoholism is a kind of disease and the kind of attitude those hooked to it have needs to be seriously addressed to help them kick the habit. “Most of the people do not know that alcoholism is a kind of disease and it can be treated like other diseases,” he said and added that alcoholism harms the social, cultural and family relationship.

Aimed at helping those suffering from alcoholism, Patan Hospital has launched a two-year long program called START from September 15 this year. Under this program, the hospital conducts support and self-help recovery program and services, counseling, ad campaign etc in the Kathmandu Valley.

According to Mike Krajniak, a technical assistant associated with START, youngsters including girls are increasing faced with this problem and that it needs serious attention. Increasing number of youths giving to alcoholism is very alarming, he said. Alcoholism, he observed, is comparatively more serious a problem than drug abuse. “When one member of a family suffers from this disease, the entire family suffers in the long run.” nepalnews.com mk Nov 19 05