Joanna Sirheti; 16/6/08
Drinking Kwaso is fast becoming a problem affecting young people in the Solomon Islands and, according to community workers, it is getting worse. Kwaso, a home made brew, is cheap for those who are unemployed and is usually sold through the Black markets in various locations in Honiara. What makes Kwaso appealing is its affordability and high alcohol content. Solomon Times was told that its percentage is much higher than spirits. “Not knowing the alcohol content makes it dangerous…it is not a proper drink, it is quite dangerous,” said a young man, Mr. Joel Mani. Mr. Mani said that he used to drink Kwaso but he stopped after he was admitted to hospital “it was a scary experience, I just remember drinking Kwaso…and then I felt a burning sensation in my stomach…next thing I knew I was in hospital.”
See: http://solomontimes.com/news.aspx?nwID=1953
Tags: Drugs, Solomon Islands
This needs a research to be conducted on why this drug was initated.
Don’t you think that Kwaso is just a tip of the ice berg for a more deeper problem? If so, what do you think is that problem? Should it be found? Should something be done about it?
These are questions we should ask ourselves when considering problems like Kwaso and others that Solomon Islands is facing at the moment. As a Solomon Islanders myself, I don’t think that kwaso problem is a problem of its own but is a symbol of a much bigger one. If we look into individual’s lives, we will see that they have various problems. Some have social problems, some finacial, some even to meet their basic needs, they can’t afford, and for some is just sheer laziness to do something worthwhile.
I know every solomon Islander has the right to own a piece of land and that they can work to earn a living. Why not they get creative and use that creativity to creat job opportunities? At this point, one may say that creativity might come from education, which for some Solomon Islanders, they can’t afford it because its expensive. However I think in every problem there is a solution and that is what we as Solomon Islanders need to find out.
We need to get out of the excuse of saying we are not capable of doing things that can benefit our lives in a positive way. There instilled in every man and woman created an ability to initiate change. Only if he or she discover it, change can come.
Can you put me in touch with Dr Kuma or someone else who can help me to get some details about the effects of Kwaso, Drugs and betel nut chewing to the body.