Many states in India have experimented with prohibition of liquor at various times. However, it is common knowledge that many such states have a thriving illegal liquor industry. Moreover, it is ironical that while many political parties have prohibition prominently mentioned in their manifestos, it is politicians who distribute alcohol among voters during their election campaigns. This also gives rise to illicit liquor trade and many people lose their lives to it. (a) What are the socio-economic problems that are widely attributed to alcoholism? (b) Do you think prohibiting liquor creates more problems than it proposes to solve? (c) Short of prohibition, what can be done to tackle the problem of rising alcoholism, particularly among the youth of the country?

Socio-economic problems attributed to alcoholism

A) Social problems

1. Violence against women - domestic violence by drunk husbands, sexual harrassment etc. Reasons behind women's movement against alcohol.
2. Health problems → liver damage → Effect on heart, kidney Vulnerability to cancer, heart attacks
3. Loss of lesser productivity
4. Promotion of criminal activities - to earn for buying alcohol
5. Addiction to alcohol → mental health issues

B) Economic problems

1. Lesser efficiency at workplace

2. Alcoholics → less contribution to the economic growth, and less productivity at workplace

3. Loss of income to buy alcohol ↓ Poverty →

• Malnutrition
• Less money for education of children
• Indebtedness

Prohibiting liquor's advantages

1. Liquor is not easily available → disincentives its consumption among occassional drunkards
2. Control on violent and criminal activities
3. Right to good health assured and well being
4. Husbands contribute more towards household → Increase in savings as expense on liquor is saved

Disadvantages:

1. Illegal liquor industry → lack of regulation over the quality → Away from state's surveillance → Avenue for black money routing
2. Illegal trade → loss of tax revenue and fillip to money laundering activities → Tax evasion; hampers the overall economic growth.
3. Loss of life → due to spurious liquor consumption
4. It has been seen that positive reinforcements work better than negative. Until a mindset change is brought, people will find a way to consume it.

Steps to tackle problem of alcoholism

1. Nationwide campaign showcasing film stars influencing public against liquor consumption (using central and peripheral route of social influencing) and information on negative impacts of liquor.

2. Social boycott against liquor sellers and buyer - as done in a village of Rajasthan recently (civil society pressure).

3. Fillip to sports culture - encourage youth to play games for recreation.

4. Behavioural change through discussions, lectures in universities.

5. Motivate parents to keep a vigil on their children.