US liquor and drugs of Kuwait
This news has been read 5777 times!
On October 20, 1919, the US Congress enacted a law to prohibit the public possession, purchase, sale, and consumption of alcohol for a range of reasons that require careful explanation. Although the federal government didn’t show a strong commitment to enforcing penalties, the impetus for stringent measures largely came from state authorities.
This resulted in a notable reduction in alcohol consumption. However, as anticipated, it also gave rise to a slew of issues, including the proliferation of organized crime, tens of thousands falling victim to poisoned substances, an uptick in crime rates, and the tragic Christmas massacre in New York in 1926.
In light of the dire consequences and the deaths of 80 people due to tainted liquor, calls for the repeal of this law gained momentum. In her 2010 book “The Poison Squad,” writer Deborah Blum asserted that the enforcement of this law resulted in the deaths of 100,000 American citizens. Consequently, the prohibition of alcohol proved to be an unsuccessful remedy, leading Congress to overturn the law on December 5, 1933. Since the inception of the Islamic Revolution, Iran has been attempting to prohibit alcohol, yet the results have been far from positive, mirroring the historical experience of the USA.
Despite imposing hefty fines, severe penalties, and corporal punishment like whipping, alcohol consumption rates have surged. Illicit networks specializing in alcohol production and smuggling have emerged. Numerous individuals have been poisoned due to consumption of adulterated alcohol, and illicit markets have flourished.
The Iranian physician and researcher Muhammad Kazem Atari noted that recent years have witnessed an annual increase ranging from 20 to 30 percent in the number of poisoning cases and severe symptoms resulting from consumption of tainted alcohol. Speaking on DW TV, Atari highlighted the concerning rise in poisoning cases across different cities simultaneously, raising suspicions of intentional crimes or manufacturing errors, including the addition of poisonous substances to locally produced liquors.
Conversely, Turkey stands as one of the more lenient Muslim countries when it comes to alcohol regulation. While bars are prevalent, the average annual alcohol consumption per person is around one and a half liters. In another interview on DW TV, Turkish sociologist Yousef Arssalan explained that Turkey maintains a liberal stance towards alcohol, albeit shaped by social customs that regulate the matter informally.
In Kuwait, where laws prohibit alcohol trafficking and importation, recent times have been marked by almost daily reports of arrests involving drug smuggling and trading gangs. This topic has become a regular feature in Ministry of Interior statements. With a rising number of drug addicts, the situation seems to be spiraling out of control, especially given that the Gulf region has become a target for drug smuggling rings, particularly for chemical drugs.
This might be attributed to alcohol bans enforced in some Gulf countries, as well as the region’s high income levels, significant disposable income among youth, a decline in moral values, and a lack of a cohesive government strategy to tackle the issue alongside combating smuggling and apprehending gangs. This dilemma necessitates a unified Gulf security strategy, comprehensive drug addiction rehabilitation, increased security cooperation to thwart smugglers, and most importantly, heightening public awareness about drugs.
Presently, authorities are relying mainly on religious advisories to caution against drugs, yet it’s evident that this approach has proven ineffective in addressing this burgeoning problem. It’s clear that the solution must encompass facing the harsh reality, adopting innovative strategies, and reconsidering restrictive laws that curb personal freedoms.
e-mail: [email protected]
By Ahmad alsarraf
This news has been read 5777 times!
