Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said on Friday that he supports increasing the legal age of purchasing alcohol to 21. He made these comments at the Police Training Centre in Georgetown, as he reminded of the country’s many economic and social issues which are associated with the excessive consumption
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan
of alcohol. He however conceded that young persons, citing their early adulthood, may be against a move to limit their ability to freely purchase alcohol.
“I’d certainly support that (increase the age); but of course, you’re going to get a lot of Guyanese, who are 18 year olds saying that we must be free to choose because they are adults at 18 [and would say] ‘we can vote, why can’t we have a drink’ and you’ll have a lot of arguments,” Ramjattan told reporters on Friday.
His announcement comes days after Social Cohesion and Minister with responsibility for culture youth and sport, Dr George Norton suggested that an alcohol control bill be introduced in Parliament. Dr Norton had called for both the ages of purchasing and consumption to be increased, expressing his concern with the way in which people conduct themselves while being under the influence of alcohol. The Public Security Minister told reporters on Friday that he will work with the Health, Social Cohesion and Education Ministries to battle the scourge which he stressed, affects families and the wider society. Ramjattan is calling for the enforcement of existing alcohol consumption related laws.“We do have a number of regulations and what we have to do now is enforce those regulations. Alcohol is a big problem and it has led to consequential challenges. it has also led to tremendous violence in homes, which has other consequential issues like children not being brought up properly – daddy beating up mommy and [children] not being well nurtured because money goes towards the liquor,” Ramjattan expressed.
In the past few months, several road accidents have been recorded which saw many pedestrians and car occupants losing their lives. Drunk driving has been listed as one of the causes of serious accidents.
These latest suggestions to curb alcohol consumption follows Minister Ramjattan’s enforcement of an early morning curfew in July 2015 which stops bars, nightclubs and restaurants across the country from opening beyond 02:00h. In the past, the Minister threatened to revoke or suspend the licences of businesses which did not comply. However, the enforcement is often relaxed during the holiday season and for other special events. Minister Ramjattan maintains that these measures form part of his crime-fighting strategy.
