Charhinets: The state cannot deal with the increase of production of strong drinks on its own
Most domestic crimes are committed by intoxicated people. Driving inspectors detained about 60 thousand drunken drivers last year. 38 people were killed by drunken drivers during the first three months of 2008. At the same time, alcoholic beverages costing 1.3 trillion Br were distributed from January until April. It is 13% of the retail sector’s turnover. The absolute amount of distributed alcohol increased by 3.5% in comparison with January-April 2007 (to 3.317 million’s proportion). The distribution of beer increased by 34.2% (to 8.082 million’s proportion) in comparison with January-April 2007. According to the head of the republican driving inspectorate Yury Litvin, inspectors detain about 20 or 25 drunken drivers every day in Minsk. About 60 thousand drivers were detained last year. The number is increasing every year.
Yuryi Lіtvіn: “175 people were killed by drunken drivers last year. 38 people died in the first quarter of this year. It turns out that 200 people died in less than 18 months. According to the statistics, the number of drunken drivers is growing every year. There were 60 thousands detained last year. Moreover, the number of accidents decreased when criminal responsibility for drunken driving was introduced. However, people seem to have got used to the new legislation and a little increase in the number of detentions for repeated drunken driving can be observed. I cannot tell you the reason for it but I think it might be some adaptation or light sentences pronounced for it”.
The confiscation of vehicles for repeated violations without any compensation may be a good way of prevention of drunken driving, thinks the head of the driving inspectorate.
Yuryi Lіtvіn: “The General Office of Public Prosecutor suggests that vehicles should be confiscated without any compensation for repeated drunken driving registered during a year. I think it could be effective”.
The interlocutor of ERB says that the distribution of alcoholic beverages in shops after 9 p.m. is forbidden due to a suggestion of the driving inspectorate. He says that it is impossible to buy vodka or beer in road cafes and at filling stations. According to the head of the driving inspectorate, inspectors are going to suggest introducing a more severe penalty for drinking alcohol in public places – in parks and near bus stops.
According to the Ministry of Healthcare, about 200 thousand Belarusian citizens are suffering from chronic alcoholism and are registered in narcological dispensaries. However, taking into account the information from unofficial sources, the number can be multiplied by at least 10 or even 15. The majority of such people simply do not register in narcological dispensaries. That is why the chief Belarusian expert in narcology Uladzimir Maksimchuk says that doctors are worried about the increase of production and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the country.
Uladzіmіr Maksіmchuk: “We are dissatisfied with the fact that the production and distribution of strong drinks is increasing. They are growing all the time! However, the industry is not subjected to the Ministry of Healthcare. We do not consume a lot of strong drinks in comparison with Russia and Ukraine, but there is still nothing to be proud of”.
According to him, there used to be more “amateurs” of alcohol among workers. However, all classes are affected by the problem now. It is very difficult to get rid of alcoholism.
Uladzіmіr Maksіmchuk: “Everything has intermingled. Workers used to drink more but everyone drinks now. There are no class distinctions now. It is possible to fight alcoholism at the beginning and even during the medium stage. However, there are some problems after the 2nd and the 3rd stages – you have to be strong-willed, determined and persistent”.
The head of the Commission for international affairs and domestic security of the National Assembly Mikalai Charhinets is also worried about the increase of the number of people suffering from chronic alcoholism in our country.
Mіkalai Charhіnets: “I am watching this issue and I can tell you that almost all domestic crimes are caused by alcohol abuse. There are murders and severe bodily injuries. In the end, the abuse results in a break-up”.
Meanwhile, taking into account the general statistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, up to 30% of all crimes are committed by intoxicated people. ERB asked the senator how the state could care about the health of the nation and increase the production of alcoholic beverages at the same time. Why don’t the authorities do anything to reduce the production and distribution of strong drinks?
Mіkalai Charhіnets: “You know, if the state organs will be dealing with it without drawing the attention of the public to the problem, it will give no result. People should understand how dangerous alcohol is for the nation and try to solve the problem together. There are special projects for it. They include recreation, entertainment and sports”…
The head of the department for organization of the consumer market of the Ministry of Trade Lyubou Yazepchyk refused to comment on the per cent of strong drinks and beer in the retail turnover.
Yuryi Lіtvіn: “175 people were killed by drunken drivers last year. 38 people died in the first quarter of this year. It turns out that 200 people died in less than 18 months. According to the statistics, the number of drunken drivers is growing every year. There were 60 thousands detained last year. Moreover, the number of accidents decreased when criminal responsibility for drunken driving was introduced. However, people seem to have got used to the new legislation and a little increase in the number of detentions for repeated drunken driving can be observed. I cannot tell you the reason for it but I think it might be some adaptation or light sentences pronounced for it”.
The confiscation of vehicles for repeated violations without any compensation may be a good way of prevention of drunken driving, thinks the head of the driving inspectorate.
Yuryi Lіtvіn: “The General Office of Public Prosecutor suggests that vehicles should be confiscated without any compensation for repeated drunken driving registered during a year. I think it could be effective”.
The interlocutor of ERB says that the distribution of alcoholic beverages in shops after 9 p.m. is forbidden due to a suggestion of the driving inspectorate. He says that it is impossible to buy vodka or beer in road cafes and at filling stations. According to the head of the driving inspectorate, inspectors are going to suggest introducing a more severe penalty for drinking alcohol in public places – in parks and near bus stops.
According to the Ministry of Healthcare, about 200 thousand Belarusian citizens are suffering from chronic alcoholism and are registered in narcological dispensaries. However, taking into account the information from unofficial sources, the number can be multiplied by at least 10 or even 15. The majority of such people simply do not register in narcological dispensaries. That is why the chief Belarusian expert in narcology Uladzimir Maksimchuk says that doctors are worried about the increase of production and distribution of alcoholic beverages in the country.
Uladzіmіr Maksіmchuk: “We are dissatisfied with the fact that the production and distribution of strong drinks is increasing. They are growing all the time! However, the industry is not subjected to the Ministry of Healthcare. We do not consume a lot of strong drinks in comparison with Russia and Ukraine, but there is still nothing to be proud of”.
According to him, there used to be more “amateurs” of alcohol among workers. However, all classes are affected by the problem now. It is very difficult to get rid of alcoholism.
Uladzіmіr Maksіmchuk: “Everything has intermingled. Workers used to drink more but everyone drinks now. There are no class distinctions now. It is possible to fight alcoholism at the beginning and even during the medium stage. However, there are some problems after the 2nd and the 3rd stages – you have to be strong-willed, determined and persistent”.
The head of the Commission for international affairs and domestic security of the National Assembly Mikalai Charhinets is also worried about the increase of the number of people suffering from chronic alcoholism in our country.
Mіkalai Charhіnets: “I am watching this issue and I can tell you that almost all domestic crimes are caused by alcohol abuse. There are murders and severe bodily injuries. In the end, the abuse results in a break-up”.
Meanwhile, taking into account the general statistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, up to 30% of all crimes are committed by intoxicated people. ERB asked the senator how the state could care about the health of the nation and increase the production of alcoholic beverages at the same time. Why don’t the authorities do anything to reduce the production and distribution of strong drinks?
Mіkalai Charhіnets: “You know, if the state organs will be dealing with it without drawing the attention of the public to the problem, it will give no result. People should understand how dangerous alcohol is for the nation and try to solve the problem together. There are special projects for it. They include recreation, entertainment and sports”…
The head of the department for organization of the consumer market of the Ministry of Trade Lyubou Yazepchyk refused to comment on the per cent of strong drinks and beer in the retail turnover.
