Alcoholism is largely fuelled by conditions of poverty

Dear Editor,

In Guyana, alcoholics are erroneously blamed for their problems and labelled as useless because of ignorance. Government is also acting on such ignorance. There is no empathy and thus no help for addicts.
We all know that Mr. Jagdeo is the man running the show in the new PPP/C administration. And he continues to turn a blind eye to the vast alcohol problem facing Guyana. Mr. Jagdeo, who is said to be an economist, has never once spoken of the socio-economic impact of this problem. Mr. Jagdeo seems to be unaware that alcoholism is largely fuelled by conditions of poverty. Mr. Jagdeo does not understand how people in poor neighbourhoods all across Guyana are mainly affected by this problem.

Based on the nurture/nurture perspective, it can be deduced that the incidence of alcoholism would be lower in places like the ocean front enclave widely known as Pradoville where affluent government officials mainly inhabit as compared to places like the Punt Trench Dam. I know far too many alcoholics from the Punt Trench. Mr. Jagdeo must know that alcoholics should never be blamed for their problems. Our governments have created conditions that turn Guyanese into alcoholics. Our governments have disadvantaged us and caused us to live a stressful life in poverty. This is what is driving alcoholism. Where are our hearts in this country? Mr. Jagdeo must understand that not all of us can make it into government and be able to raise our children in elite oceanfront communities.

Mr. Jagdeo should understand that the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains drug addiction and in particular, alcohol addiction through a widely used model that views alcoholism as a relapsing brain disease. Evidence has been accumulating in this direction. For example, brain imaging techniques have revealed that repeated alcohol exposure can structurally and functionally alter the brain’s chemistry and the brain’s architecture in disrupting homeostatic brain functions in hijacking voluntary behavioural control. In other words, alcoholics have no control over their behaviours. And this is a key behavioural marker which distinguishes addicts from non-addicts.

Even rum shops have caught on to this and they have chronically picked the pockets of addicts. Addicts can credit endless quantities of alcohol from Rum Shops as if alcohol is a lifesaving commodity. Rum Shops have long been predatory. The Guyanese society is cruel. Where are our hearts in this country? I cannot believe that this is happening and Mr. Jagdeo turns a blind eye for more than two long decades. When will Mr. Jagdeo understand the alcohol problem and step in to do something about it? It is clear that Mr. Jagdeo will treat those with marijuana use disorder or addiction in the same manner. There is no help for addicts in Guyana. None!

Given Mr. Jagdeo’s overall position on alcoholism, I find it very hard to believe that he is into removing custodial sentencing on small quantities of marijuana to protect individuals carrying this substance.
Is Mr. Jagdeo ready to dive right into the marijuana business for monetary and political gains in spite that there is no foundation for such business in Guyana?

Mr. Jagdeo must understand that the social, economic and political dynamics in Guyana are markedly different from Canada. Guyana is in no way ready to support recreational marijuana like Canada. Recreational marijuana should not be confused with medicinal marijuana. Yes, medicinal marijuana is encouraged in large part because of scant data on its usefulness in the clinics. And, also because it is dispensed in a tightly controlled manner where the dose and frequency of administration can be easily monitored. However, most countries around the world have refused to give the green light to recreational marijuana. And Mr. Jagdeo irresponsibly encourages recreational marijuana through his position.

Canada has welcomed both recreational and medicinal marijuana in a responsible way. Canada has laid the groundwork and its people are educated about substance use and misuse. Canada is not faced with an alcohol problem either. In Guyana, the alcohol problem is huge and it is downright irresponsible to pave the way for another substance with addictive potentials. Further, like alcohol, marijuana can elicit an array of unwanted brain effects, which include: addiction, withdrawal, tolerance and relapse. Also, marijuana can stimulate the release of excess dopamine in the brain thereby exerting schizophrenic-like symptoms which is behaviourally marked by hallucinations.

Marijuana like alcohol can also alter cerebellar functions in impairing motor activities in causing road accidents. Marijuana can also remodel and rewire neural circuitries in the adolescent brain due to a high degree of plasticity in causing adolescents to become more susceptible to substance use disorder among a wide assortment of serious problems. In total, marijuana has the potential to deepen and widen the existing social problems in this country.

Importantly, it is hoped that Mr. Jagdeo understands that he should not press ahead with recreational marijuana in the face of a severe lack of intervention. Does Mr. Jagdeo appreciate the importance of social workers, counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists and interventions for the addicts? I am heartbroken over the chronic alcohol addiction problem in Guyana. Life is painful. There is absolutely no help for the addicts. How can Mr. Jagdeo or anyone carry on without addressing the chronic and widespread alcohol addiction problem?

The Ministry of Social Protection is also of no help. I have approached this ministry about 10 years ago concerning help for people who I care about. It is painful to regurgitate the response I received. And to make matters worse, the PPP/C through its propaganda organs continues to threaten and silence our voice when we speak out against inhumanity. Under such pervasive dysfunction, our loved ones are left to suffer and die. This is traumatic and unbearable. And last but not least, we can all predict how Mr. Jagdeo will react to our concerns about poly substance use involving marijuana and alcohol. Of course, Mr. Jagdeo may turn a blind eye and bark that Guyana has the right to be in the marijuana and alcohol business. Ignorance has caused the senseless loss of precious lives to alcohol addiction in Guyana.

Sincerely,
Dr. Annie Baliram