Chairman of the National Health and Wellness Advisory Council, Mr. Elton Georges has reinforced the message of the unhealthy impact of alcohol following Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day.

During a statement issued for the observance, Mr. Georges said that the Council welcomes this initiative most warmly because of the focus it places on the huge unhealthy impact of alcohol beverage abuse on our populations.

According to Mr. Georges alcohol abuse is more pernicious than abuse of some other drugs that had been declared illegal substances, but little has been done about it except to preach, occasionally.

He said that the declaration of the first annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day signals, a new beginning of sustained action to significantly reduce alcohol consumption in the region, including the Virgin Islands.

According to research cited from the World Health Organisation Expert Committee on Problems Related to Alcohol Consumption, Mr. Georges concluded that alcohol is as harmfully addictive as many banned substances on which governments wage war.

He said, “The difference is that its abuse is legal, with few exceptions. I would also add that more and more studies are confirming a link between alcohol use and the risk for certain types of cancer.  I therefore appeal to each one to make this cause his or her own; and to all leaders in the faith community, the business community, the voluntary community service organisations, the island or country associations, everyone, to join in the great effort to reducing the drinking of alcoholic beverages so that on each annual Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day we will be able to celebrate our progress in increasing our health and wellness.”

Caribbean Alcohol Reduction Day (CARD), an initiative of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition was observed on November 18.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to improving the health and well-being of the population and reducing the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases to improve health and save lives.