Since the middle of the 20th Century a rise in the consumption of alcoholic beverages has been noted in practically all countries. What is the reason for this ‘alcoholization of mankind’? Will this rise ever change to a slump? What is the actual situation in Nagaland?
According to one of WHO’s leader alcoholic beverages became more available than water, In Africa in the mid 1950s let take the case of Soviet Union, arise in Alcohol consumption coincided with the beginning of the alcoholic boom in Europe, the Vodka & Wine output trebled in 1980.
Thus, the rise in Alcohol consumption does not depend on the social structure of a state, or the economic position of certain sections of the population. The effect is well known & multiform: it improves the mood, a tendency towards dissipation & light-headedness, remove barriers to communication. True, the Euphoria is frequently followed by varying degrees of depression, Painful sensation, & a general indisposition. Drinking may be followed by difficulties, which may grow into problems affecting the drinker’s life. Nevertheless, certain percentage of mankind uses alcohol in increasing amounts. What is its attraction? & why has it manifested itself so strongly?...I wonder!!!
Lately, human life changed dramatically. A major contributor has been a sharp rise in economic potentials. However, uneven its distribution, the greater part of the Nagas has achieved better living standards, nutrition & conditions of labor & everyday life & enjoys more leisure. Boredom & the inability to achieve self-realization in free time prompt us to search for new sensations.
The mass media pumps out information on such a scale & at such speed that it does not allow time for absorption of thought & leaves no place for dialogue. Dialogue which has always united people has in fact disappeared.
There has been a decline in the necessity to unite collectives against a common enemy. The basis of communication & integration from time immemorial, here I am referring not to wars or natural calamities before to ordinary life. Monotonous work prevents self-expression & emotional relaxation, inherent in all form of creation. All these changes occurred much faster than changes in man’s psyche & consciousness, which took millennia to form.
Apparently, for many people alcohol has become a mean of adoption to reality, & it can be said that the measures of its consumption is an indicator of insecurity threatening both the individual & society. As our state enforces prohibition, we hear many against it. Some says the state loses revenues, black market increases & revenue is lost as the price rises etc. but wait & think…….. Are we not Christian? What does the Bible says about Alcohol? Will the revenue from Alcohol bring happiness in our family? Does “Nagaland for Christ” have a meaning in our life? Dear Readers, alcohol is killing everybody directly & indirectly.
Recently I came across a news in paper (25/02/2012, Morung Express) about alcohol problem in Andhra Pradesh. After the lifting & prohibition the state has earned 4000 plus crores of revenue but at the cost of its citizen’s life. The news reported of majority of the people has become alcoholic, it’s sad to hear but its reality. The annual danger inflicted by drunken drivers in Nagaland is increasing. Every year hundreds of people receive injuries & many die as a result of drunken driving. There is a rise in the incident of suicide due to alcohol abuse. There are cases where children & wives of alcoholic fathers are exposed to injuries & even death. The mortality rate is 2-3 times higher & they die 15 years younger. Today, erotic hallucinations & cases of delirium of jealousy & megalom aria have gained in frequency. Women alcoholic develop cirrhosis of the liver 50% more often than men & alcohol- addict women give birth to handicapped children 3 times more frequently than women having alcoholic husbands. A study shows that alcoholism develops in 40% of the children who have healthy parents but brought up amidst alcoholics. Alcohol causes sudden death from acute cardiac insufficiency.
The difference in individual sensitivity to alcohol action is so great that there is no point in trying to establish a “Safe Dose” for Drivers.
The Prohibition can be successful if we (Police, NGOs, public, leaders, students. Etc)
unite as one & acknowledge the problem by being a dedicated Christian soldier in truly checking the increasing influx of alcohol in Nagaland, deal the problem with courage, dedication, helping hand and impartial attitude, only then we can save souls for Christ, which is our main mission on Earth.
God Bless my Nagaland
(SABU RITSE)
Chairman
Khezhakeno Mission Board
