7 News Belize

PAHO and MOH Meet On Alcohol Abuse
posted (June 25, 2013)
Representatives of the Ministry of Health, stakeholders and professionals from the Pan-American Health Organization are in Belize to discuss the regional concerns about the abuse of alcohol.

The Ministry of health is hosting the Sub-Regional Meeting on "Alcohol Policy for English Speaking Caribbean Countries", and today, 7News stopped by to find out what this policy could mean for Belize.

The facilitators explained more about its importance:

Esner Vellos - Director, National Drug Abuse Control Council
"Well the Pan American Health Organizations has embarked on a regional initiative of providing technical assistance to the Caribbean countries so that we will be able to in one way or the other, work towards achieving the development of policies and implementation of services that are oriented towards the reduction of the consumption and the demand of alcohol in the region. Since 2010, the Ministry of Health has embarked on a proactive approach towards achieving these initiatives, the National Drug abuse council in that year assumed responsibility over the direction in terms of developing a National Alcohol Policy. In 2011 we have designed the first draft of this policy that encompassed a number of ministries precisely seven ministries of government and a number of government departments that work in the area of social issues, non-governmental association and society came together so that we would be able to discuss the issue and plan the policy at the way for implementing the policy here in Belize."

Maristella Montero - Representative, PAHO
"Well this is the first meeting of Caribbean countries, both governmental officials and NGO's, getting together to discuss alcohol policy for the Caribbean. This is a very important issue because alcohol use is increasing, especially among young and that is related to the lack of policies and a very strong promotion of alcohol everywhere in these countries. So I'm very glad that countries have decided to get together and take action and know what can be done."

The conference continues tomorrow and Thursday.

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