Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy firmly believes that the global focus on alcohol is misplaced. He emphasised this while making a ‘drop-in’ visit to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) workshop on alcohol-related problems held at the Georgetown Club,Wholesale Adidas Hockey Jerseys, yesterday.Dr. Ramsammy conceded that alcohol can be used in responsible ways that would not cause any harm, but that in general it is often abused.According to the Health Minister, the effects of alcohol abuse have been grossly underestimated globally, and the difficulty lies in convincing alcohol abusers that “their use of alcohol is not quite consistent with the proper use…the best way to use alcohol is not to use it at all.”Minister Ramsammy added that one challenge and primary focus that needs to be concentrated on, not only within Guyana but globally as well,Cheap Jerseys Online, is working with young people to get them to stay away from alcohol entirely. “Never starting a habit is always better than trying to kick a habit.”The Health Minister reiterated that though there are many refined programmes in place to prevent young people from consuming alcohol, in Guyana,China Jerseys Cheap NFL, there are at present too many young people who are already victims of alcohol abuse.“Too many children are absent from school because their parents were out drinking; too many children are absent from school because they themselves were out drinking; too many children are in school willing and ready to learn,Cheap NFL Jerseys, but their teachers are not ready to teach because of alcohol,Cheap NHL Jerseys China,” Dr. Ramsammy said.The Health Minister said that most social ills with alcohol abuse are a global issue.At a previous alcohol related workshop held at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street last October, Dr. Ramsammy had said that the taxes placed on alcohol are not high enough and that this is one of the main reasons why it is so easily accessible by the population, since it is affordable. “Alcohol plays an important role in some negative impacts. I believe that taxes on alcohol are not high enough and access to alcohol is driven by its affordable nature. Therefore countries should consider taxes. I have no apologies for that person who said to me that it will impact negatively on class distinction in a country…That by putting taxes up, we will allow the rich to have one more advantage over the poor,” said the Health Minister.That workshop was held to review the legal and regulatory framework related to alcohol consumption in Guyana.According to Dr. Ramsammy at the October workshop the taxes placed on alcohol 20 years ago have increased tremendously, allowing the alcohol producers to make up to five times more.“The taxes today are much more than the taxes 20 years ago…but the profits that the producers make today are double,Cheap NFL Jerseys, triple, five times more…so increasing the taxes have not impacted on their pockets of profitability.”The Health Minister went on to further state that alcohol impacts the health sector negatively as it related on sexual reproductive health,Wholesale Cheap Jerseys, the increase in disability,Jerseys Cheap NFL, road accidents and alcohol induced crimes.“A lot of people live disabled lives because of alcohol. We deal with the deaths on the road but for every death on the road, there are at least 10 disabled persons…so alcohol is an important issue when it comes to the development agenda.”