2021 Theme
“Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives”
This day comes at the right time when many people in Lesotho especially in Maseru are losing their lives and properties, and cars because of drinking and driving.
Why should alcohol abuse be a concern for government?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 82% of Basotho do not drink in 2016. However, of those who drink, just over half (51%) drink heavily. Heavy drinking is common amongst young males (64%) and young females (27%) between 15 to 19 years.
Data collected for the Lesotho Epidemiology Network on Drug Abuse (LENDU) in 2003 from two rehabilitation centres, one psychiatric clinic, four Mental Observation and Treatment Units, and the police department, alcohol was the dominant substance of abuse for patients seen at treatment facilities. Overall, 70% of the 67 patients treated for substance abuse had alcohol as their primary substance of abuse during the period January to June 2003. 78% of the patients treated for alcohol abuse were male, and about one third of the patients were 30 years of age or younger. A 2001 national study that collected data from ten psychiatric clinics, two rehabilitation centres, the mental hospital and the police authorities found that alcohol was the primary substance of abuse in Lesotho (52.1%).
In a 1988 study of all patients with assault trauma attending Quthing District Hospital, alcohol was involved in at least 185 (37%) incidents. 30% of both men and women admitted they were drunk at the time of the incident. Victims claimed to know their assailant was drunk in 10% of the cases.
In a paper looking at alcohol and alcohol-related problems facing women in Lesotho, it was noted that as in many other developing countries, the cultural position of women in Lesotho facilitates a vicious circle in which women are at one time brewers of alcohol, then sellers, then become excessive consumers due to the problems created by their drinking husbands. Married women encounter social censure if they drink, and termination of their marriages if they abuse alcohol. Culturally, women are regarded as minors and depend on their husbands for economic survival, so that alcohol abuse can cause great economic hardship.
Alcohol use is linked to interpersonal violence. In particular, about 60% of women who report gender-based violence, report that their abuser was drunk at the time of the incident.
Alcohol impairs judgement and coordination. This is particularly important when drinking and driving. 60% of drivers in accidents test positive for alcohol. Africa has highest death rates on road (26.6%), highest pedestrian and cyclists deaths (44%). It is estimated that 35% of deaths on the road is alcohol related. Of concern also is the increasing supply and availability of unregulated high alcohol volume products, unlicensed outlets (shebeens) in Lesotho and online purchasing dial a delivery services, which makes accessing alcohol even more easy for young people below eighteen (18).
As the nation joins the world in commemorating International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, SAAPA in Lesotho calls upon the government to take advantage of the gains from the temporary measures enacted to contain the COVID19 pandemic through reduced alcohol availability by engaging in a review process that includes civil society to update the draft National Alcohol Policy to be evidence-based without delay and to implement the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended 3 best buys which are reduced availability, restrictions on advertising and increase in price as tools to reduce negative impact of Alcohol in our country. -ENDS-
Media Contact
Mothobi Molefi (MR)
Country Coordinator
Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance In Lesotho
Contacts: 57774739 (WHATSAPP) 62030688 (CALLS)