The OASI Foundation already in 1991, in the very beginning of its mission, viewed and considered alcohol as a mood altering substance with addictive properties and hazardous effects. OASI had then already embarked on various initiatives to draw the authorities’ attention to the risks society was facing due to excessive alcohol consumption not only by supposedly mature adults but also by the younger generations.
In fact already way back in 1992 OASI included in its awareness and prevention work the abuse of alcohol on parity with consumption of drugs. It was not an easy feat to sustain, but OASI was always faithful to the principle that prevention is better than cure. Nevertheless, as far back as 1992, OASI opened its treatment and rehabilitation services to all persons who suffered from addiction, be it due to alcohol or drugs. This audacious stand consequently brought to the surface and forefront of health promotion in our country other conditions like over eating, gambling and cyber addiction, to mention but a few.
OASI was the first organisation to raise continuous awareness on the negative effects of the handling and sale of alcohol less than 100 metres away from schools and any other educational, sports oriented or cultural community centre that catered for children and youths.
The current public statement made by the Commissioner for Children to raise the alcohol drinking age from 17 to 18 years, cannot but to say the least be very welcomed by OASI Foundation in view of the fact that the majority of its service users had started drinking regularly in their early teens.
We at OASI still believe that legal initiatives are doomed to fail unless they are backed by in advance, proper, consistent, educational and enforcement measures not only among children and youths but also and predominantly with the parents, religious authorities, police force and catering establishments.
OASI Foundation, in unison with other agencies involved in the prevention work, can only augur well and strongly support such an initiative which ultimately may bring purchase and drinking of alcohol products legal only to persons of 18 years of age and more.