Alcohol abuse increasing in the Pacific

18 March 2010 @ 10:29 am EDT

According to a recent report, alcohol abuse is increasing in the Pacific and that Australian beer plays a big role in the problem.

An increase in the number of domestic violence found in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Marshall Islands and Vanuatu, could be linked to alcohol abuse, the study commissioned by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD).

Gino Vumbaca, ANCD executive officer said Australian and New Zealand alcohol industries had "significant commercial interest" in the region. He said, "Addressing these alcohol problems imposes an obligation on them and countries."

The report, compiled by the Burnet Institute, revealed alcohol triggered an increase in violence across the nations of Samoa, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands. John Herron, ANCD chairman informed that alcohol abuse was likely to peak even further if no action was taken.

Dr Heron said, "The rise of alcohol-related problems and the potential for it to escalate further in the Pacific is quite ominous, especially if we don't act now."

Alcohol and drugs are significantly influencing "risky behaviour" especially risky sexual behavior among the young people in the region. He said, "The potential harm of this behaviour is great."

Increase use of cannabis had been found in Tonga and the Cook Islands, the report revealed. In Fiji, where marijuana crops were "well established" police reported cases of school kids used as for trafficking.

Next Article: Gabourey Sidibe: Latest Celebrity Target for Weight Loss Products

Alcohol abuse increasing in the Pacific

Most Popular Slideshows

IBTimes TV

New York Fashion Week 2012: Brandon Sun Draws on Kung-Fu Movies for Fall Collection

IBTimes TV

Tadashi Shoji Takes Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2012 to Another Era