NGOs urged to organise campaigns on danger of cheap liquor

SHAH ALAM, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Selangor should organise more campaigns to create awareness to non-Muslim groups on the ill-effects of consuming cheap alcoholic drinks, said Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud.

The Selangor Health, Welfare, Women and Family Empowerment Committee chairman said the target group should be made aware of the effects of drinking cheap liquor as they are feared to have high alcohol concentration which could lead to death.

"If it possible to continue having campaigns on the danger of drug abuse to deter drug use, why don’t we do the same in creating awareness to prevent the group from consuming cheap liquor?

"If there are NGOs interested in organising such a campaign to enlighten the non-Muslims on this issue, the state government is ever ready to assist,” she said when contacted by Bernama, here today.

Since Monday, the nation was shocked by a series of deaths due to toxic alcohol poisoning occurring around the Klang Valley and as at 1pm today, 20 deaths have been recorded in Selangor while 16 others are being treated in hospitals.

Dr Siti Mariah said that most of the cheap liquor drinkers were from the low-income group adding that the products were way cheaper than the popular liquor brands.

"Some of them may be aware that alcoholic drinks can have ill-effects on the body but they are not aware of the difference in alcohol content in beer, stout and cheap liquor," she added.

As such she said a comprehensive and proper approach must be used in educating people of all levels from non-Muslim communities in Selangor, especially those from the low-income group, on the types of cheap alcoholic drinks and their adverse effects on the body.

-- BERNAMA