The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe now wants to win the war against liquor abuse. The honourable Thabethe was speaking in the Eastern Cape of SA in a township called Motherwell outside of Port Elizabeth when se launched annual Sobriety Week. The aim of the national campaign is to create awareness to the general South African public effects of liquor abuse.
“Members of community, as well as liquor traders and distributors must join forces with government in order to combat the scourge of alcohol and drug abuse that is plaguing the country. As government, we need communities that will make it their business that their children are protected from exposure and access to liquor by other persons including ourselves. We need adults that will take responsibility of parenting and setting good example through responsible conduct like not making liquor accessible to children during the festivities,” said Thabethe.
“We need liquor traders to comply with the conditions of their licences. We need them to understand that business is not only about profits, but they have a responsibility towards all South Africans. Liquor must not be distributed to retailers that are not registered and it must not be sold to children and pregnant women. We need business to take the moral stand not to make profit at the expense of children because they are killing our future,” said Thabethe.
The Sobriety Week incorporates the International Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Day which is being observed internationally on September 9 every year to highlight the irreversible damage that is caused to unborn babies when their mothers consume alcohol during pregnancy.
Shall we raise a glass to this?
