THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The liquor policy in the state might have divided the opinions vertically. But the global health watchdogs have noticed the government’s move to phase out alcohol from the state, and they are keen to do an in-depth study.
The representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) will descend on captial to attend an international conference to be conducted by the Excise Department to showcase the progress of the new liquor policy. The three-day meet will be held in Thiruvananthapuram under the department’s ‘Subodham Project.’
“We’ve planned the conference tentatively for February 17, 18 and 19. Studies have now shown that the alcohol intake by Keralites has decreased by a remarkable margin after the adoption of the policy.
This has been noted by agencies like WHO, and discussions at the conference will focus on various aspects including whether this reduction is sustainable,” ‘Subodham’ director K Ambady said.
“Global attention for Kerala’s liquor policy, which envisages a total ban on liquor in 10 years, will be a valuable spin-off for the conference,” he said.
The state government had launched the ‘Subodham’ project in April 2015, exactly a year after the government decided not to renew the licences of 418 bars. The decision had opened up a can of political worms, also spurring a debate on alcohol and substance abuse.
It is estimated that consumption of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) dropped by 25 per cent after the adoption of the new liquor policy - a world record according to the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (India).
On its part, ‘Subodham’ has already organised initiatives to raise awareness on alcohol and drug abuse including, an ‘alcohol and drug-free New Year’ campaign in Kochi recently.
‘Yatra’ with a Difference
The ‘Subodham’ project in association with the Kerala Joint Christian Temperance Movement will launch a five-day boat campaign to create awareness about alcohol and substance abuse in Kuttanad from Monday. Named ‘Kuttanadin Makkale Thedi,’ the campaign will cover regions between Nirettupuram near Tiruvalla to Alappuzha. Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius will flag off the campaign at Nirettupuram. A 50-member team will lead the campaign in two boats.