Alcoholism prevention programs improve plantation productivity

•  Industry officials call for funding to continue efforts  
  
   

Industry officials say they have observed a notable increase in productivity among estate workers as a result of the numerous alcohol prevention programs conducted in various estates over the last couple of years.  

Street drama on alcohol usage and its disadvantages held on 7 March in front of the Vellai Oya Maternity Ward

Family counseling and alcohol harm reduction in the family program held on 14 February at Strathdon Training Centre

Individual  counselling on drugs usage and oral cancer diagnostic clinic held on 18 October  2011 at the dispensary building, Dickoya

“With the help of various ‘peace committees’ comprising estate managers, workers, police, the Plantations Human Development Trust (PHDT) and medical officers from the area, various programs have been conducted and they have helped control the situation to a considerable level,” said PHDT Director Dr. Ravi Nanayakkara.

Estates such as those that belong to listed Regional Plantations Companies (RPC’s) in the regions of Galle, Ratnapura,  Badulla, Kegalle, Kandy, Hatton and Nuwara Eliya, have directed their workers to programs on the ‘Reduction of Alcoholism and Gender issues’ and the ‘Reduction of Alcoholism and Youth Problems’ over the last five years or so, in collaboration with non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) and agencies such as the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC), Sri Lanka  Anti-Narcotic Association (SLANA). These programs have been funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan Bank for International Corporation (JBIC).    

Watawala Plantations CEO Dr. Dan Seevaratnam one of the largest listed plantation firms in the island, is of the view that such internal mechanisms involving the estate sector youth have been effective and have prevented compulsive and uncontrolled alcohol consumption spreading amongst the youth in the community.

“Youngsters are thankfully not into liquor due to other extra-curricular activities like sports, etc. that these programs have directed them to,” said Seevaratnam.  “Actions such as protests and anti-alcohol marches by school children are simple but very powerful ways of educating the estate community.”

Watawala Plantations conducts a minimum of two programs a year targeting the youth living in the estates run by the firm, where nearly 50 schools exist. It also allows organisations such as World University Service of Canada (WUSC) to conduct independent programs for the estate youth as well as elders.  

“They may not be employed but they get into the mainstream organisations of the community. For example the youth will get involved in activities of the temple and take a stand that no one is to enter the temple after liquor,” Seevaratnam explains.

 “So when the youth take such a stand the elders either do not consume liquor and enter the temple, or drink and stay outside. This I have seen myself,” he added.     

The RPC’s have seen positive results emanate from the educational programs to an extent that absenteeism has reduced while worker health has also improved, resulting in enhanced productivity.

However industry officials point out that the brewing of illicit liquor within the estates remains a major obstacle to curtailing alcohol consumption, while the Government’s liberal approach in issuing alcohol licenses has also compounded the effect.

Maraya Bazaar, a street market in Lindula, in the central hills of Sri Lanka, has become a popular gathering place for the estate community.

According to Seevaratnam over 10 licensed taverns operate within a space of just 100 yards in the bazaar.

“As a rule of thumb no one knows how much illicit liquor is being produced,” says Seevaratnam.  “If 40-50% of wages earned are used for the consumption of alcohol, who is benefiting?” he questions.

“Definitely not the worker. Not even the Government. It is only the illicit liquor industry which will prosper.”

However Dr. Nanayakkara stressed that the full potential of the programs targeting the youth can only be reached if they are implemented over a long period of time but most programs have come to a halt due to lack of funds.