Use of alcohol was commonly evidenced in even the ancient world cultures- the Indians and the Roman civilizations. But the alcohol of those days and of these days differs in two aspects; its contents and occasions of use. The ancient people extracted alcohol from grapes, corn, rice, wheat, barley, oats, palm juice etc. having high nutritional values, whereas the alcohol of our time especially our State are made from all the possible harmful chemicals.
Alcohol is not a food. It is a product of decomposition containing powerful poison which destroys a man’s physical and mental process. All kinds of alcohol injure the body. When a man drinks alcohol it can be smell on his breath in just a short time. This is due to the fact that as soon as the alcohol has entered the blood, it is carried to the lungs and the lungs tried to get rid of the poison as quickly as possible.
The central nervous system is the first to feel the effects of alcohol. Long before the drinker begins to stagger; his brain process has already slowed down. His memory and mental condition is impaired, speed accuracy and efficiency goes down. Even a small amount of alcohol lowers reaction time. Hence it impairs the sense of distance slows reaction and lessens judgment. When large amount are taken, drivers become reckless, because although alcohol reduces efficiency it gives the individual confidence and he feels he is very alert due to which maximum number of road traffic accident occurs. Cases of depression and stress are numerous among families dealing with alcoholic addiction.
Alcohol renders one less able to overcome lung infection, impairs judgment and dulls the sense of right and wrong. It damages the liver, stomach, blood vessels, kidney and nervous system. It lowers the resistance of body to the disease of the lungs such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
Though consumed by Indians in other parts in differential quantities to a tolerable limit, the Nagas are constantly being consumed by these determinable chemical beverages. (What is meant here is that instead of consuming alcohol, Nagas are being consumed by various kinds of alcohol drinks). There is no denying the fact that Nagaland is a dry state and officially Nagaland is proud of not having even a single licensed wine shop. But reality is that in Nagaland this ‘sacred liquid’ is available in all kinds of colors and packs sizes everywhere including those remotest of Naga villages (with knowledge or without the knowledge of administration). While the rich goes for imported costly liquors, the common people go for cheap and adulterated/spurious alcohol which is very harmful to their health. The entire Naga society is under the firm alcohol grip from top to bottom. Our youth can go without food and jobs but never without it.
The widespread use of alcoholic drinks is having adverse effect upon our society. Even professing Christians are involved in the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Besides youngsters are schools and colleges are affected, some of them become alcoholic addicts at an early age.
The sad and fearful stories about the result of alcohol addiction have been afloat throughout the length and breadth of our State. Consumption of spurious liquor is undoubtedly dangerous to one’s health. In hospitals, maximum numbers of patients are admitted due to diseases related to alcohol abuse. Health is source of happiness and without it no factor can give us sickness.
Situation in Dimapur is the worst. It is estimated that the number of authorized wine shop outlets id zero, but the unauthorized availability points are more than 1000. Had it been pure in their contents the extent of damaged could have been a little less, but driven by the desire to make larger profit, the retail dealers adulterated by mixing water and diluting harmful chemicals only with the effect that now becomes more poisonous. Tens of thousands die premature death due to habitual and prolong use of these chemicals. Another ten of thousands become physically, mentally and financially maimed, for what great cause?
Taking into considerations everything our State Government should either take stern action against the sale, possession and consumption of any kind of liquor in the stated or lift (cancel) the alcohol prohibition act and leave it to an individual choice whether to abstain from alcohol consumption or not. Is it not safe to allow legal sale and distribution of liquor within the stated than to have our people buying spurious adulterated liquor from different places at the risk of their own lives?
Is there any way out of this abysmal depth of darkness or should we wait and see till the end of the road?
Hopito Jimo
Satakha
