tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post8771461765598023140..comments2023-05-20T04:56:40.126-07:00Comments on Angel with a pitchfork: Health for all?Angelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03850889220469520367noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-57841375042278672282010-09-22T07:41:49.956-07:002010-09-22T07:41:49.956-07:00JP : alcohol is addictive both physically and psyc...JP : alcohol is addictive both physically and psychologically. Nicotine is almost exclusively a psychological addiction.Angelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03850889220469520367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-82958173743073615892010-07-16T00:48:30.383-07:002010-07-16T00:48:30.383-07:00banning alcohol never works. Just think of Chicago...banning alcohol never works. Just think of Chicago under prohibition - it gave rise to Al Capone amongst other things.<br /><br />Alcoholism is, (I think) a disease. I don't know if alcohol is addictive, like nicotine.Jack Pointhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00324737814154929009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-62099705320431362412010-07-13T22:27:09.706-07:002010-07-13T22:27:09.706-07:00I understand the angst of the EMTs when facing dru...I understand the angst of the EMTs when facing drunk students! it's not a pretty picture at all. the argument that funds from taxes help fatten the treasurery is kinda void because the cost to treat serious medical conditions far exceeds the income!<br /><br />Chavie : thanks... I think that's part of the problem.. looking for "quick fixes"<br /><br />Sach : where do we start changing attitudes? This whole "drink and be merry for tomorrow we die" concept is the pits!<br /><br />Dee, Azreal : I'm sure you're right... we have so many heavy and problem drinkers here... and as you pointed out, very minimal social support for them to fall back on. What we need is measures that are tailor made for SL. Can you imagine someone saying "my name is Kandeappu, and I'm an alcoholic"? :)<br /><br />Me-shak, Joven: thanks<br /><br />Knatolee : thanks so much for giving insight to the perspectives of the loved ones. it's a slippery slope indeed! On bad days i feel like including people with diabetes, high BP, kidney disease, obesity, heat disease etc. etc. whose irresponsible lifestyl;es have caused all the suffering!Angelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03850889220469520367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-59849500987307030602010-07-10T03:54:57.392-07:002010-07-10T03:54:57.392-07:00This debate comes up here (Canada) every so often,...This debate comes up here (Canada) every so often, since we have publicly-funded healthcare. I share some of your frustrations and I am sure I would be even MORE frustrated were I doctor serving these people!<br /><br />That said, both my parents manage to smoke themselves to death, but I was glad that they received healthcare that prolonged their lives. Despite their numerous flaws, I loved them both (and I have never smoked!) So maybe you can feel a bit better about it if you think of the people who love these self-destructive patients, and how it comforts them that you are helping. :)<br /><br />It does become a slippery slope as to where you draw the line. If people eat junk food, for example, and have health consequences as a result, do you not treat them? I think you are right to blame the people in charge! Tobacco and alcohol are heavily taxed here, but they are legal of course and the government is making lots of money off those taxes.<br /><br />Another great post, Angel!!Knatoleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03809822081515082096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-65344322999873013982010-07-07T22:17:50.417-07:002010-07-07T22:17:50.417-07:00Great post. It is definitely not the solution, and...Great post. It is definitely not the solution, and he is a ass to speak like that in parliament. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />Cheers!Me-shakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342615482470058850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-564659503064071642010-07-07T07:06:26.514-07:002010-07-07T07:06:26.514-07:00A thoughtful post.
As Sach pointed out, our peop...A thoughtful post. <br /><br />As Sach pointed out, our people have this notion that if you open a bottle, it has to be finished. it's like they failed if they don't finish it off. <br /><br />The best is to promote organizations like AA and get people help. <br /><br />Increasing the price of the product is not the solution. The only ones who will reduce the consumption are the social drinkers. Addicts will find away to get their fix no matter what the price of it. This is one reason for the increase in the crime rate.Azraelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04071543787058231712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-24657681175046943842010-07-07T04:24:16.771-07:002010-07-07T04:24:16.771-07:00I too shuddered when the Minister made that statem...I too shuddered when the Minister made that statement but then i think he is an idiot and no one really cares about what he is saying. I personally thought that being addicted to alcohol was a disease quite similar to food addiction and the disease we get as a result of it. I feel the government needs to take a positive stand either they should make tobacco and booze illegal just like heroin or pot or they should not tax it as much. Of course I could be biased because I drink and smoke in moderation I might add. I must also say that some of the stuff you mentioned in your post gave me a completely new outlook to the way I see this situation. Thank you for an insightful article.cjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01647112947152287161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-10672355371934041632010-07-06T20:40:07.100-07:002010-07-06T20:40:07.100-07:00I think we need to pinch the bud. Its safe to say ...I think we need to pinch the bud. Its safe to say EVERY Sri Lankan family should have a alcoholic in it. The black sheep. The guy (sexist no?) who is a 'heavy drinker' 'party animal' 'the one who brawls at the family wedding'...<br /><br />I'm not saying only a close relative, but someone somewhere in the perimeter.<br /><br />We have no alcoholics anonymous, no self-help methods...people don't take anything seriously or as a medical condition. Imagine the number with OCD, bipolar...you name it. Those people are just 'funny'..or 'eccentric'...not 'treatable' ..because treatable sounds like angoda.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07995774857599699621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-50734523793440733322010-07-06T19:35:15.222-07:002010-07-06T19:35:15.222-07:00Angel, I think no amount of taxation, advertising ...Angel, I think no amount of taxation, advertising prohibition is going to fix the problem. At least no in Sri Lanka.<br /><br />You see, it is the attitude that needs a change I believe. People in many other countries have their drinks socially, just one shot or two. We, on the other hand, just need to see the bottle off in a session if we sit down to drink. We drink just for the sake of it. That is where the problem is.Sachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09737205005592917145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-85929233063184786332010-07-06T17:47:33.492-07:002010-07-06T17:47:33.492-07:00Letting them drink and fall sick and then telling ...Letting them drink and fall sick and then telling them that the journey is over is not the opinion, as you've pointed out. Our anti-alcohol measures are very weak and this looks like one of those ill thought-out quick fixes to reduce healthcare expenditure, and not a proper plan to defeat alcoholism.<br /><br />Good post Angel.Janithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01712087828463895910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2794446112633966865.post-52301253683022137472010-07-06T13:37:18.883-07:002010-07-06T13:37:18.883-07:00Brilliant post, Angel!
I find myself thinking the...Brilliant post, Angel!<br /><br />I find myself thinking the same things whenever I see someone smoking, or see someone wandering around in a drunken stupor. Regarding the extra cost of treating addiction-related conditions, there is an argument that the taxes on alcohol and tobacco do go into the treasury, which in turn provides the funds for the health service...but with regards to your other points, there's no argument whatsoever.<br /><br />Over here, it's a similar problem. Especially considering that this is a student town. With binge drinking being the norm amongst the under 25s, a lot of young people get injured in fights or falls, or pass out. The ambulance crews have got so fed up of being called out 'cos someone's puked on the side of the road that now they refuse to come to town on club nights. The crews that <i>do</i> go out, often get assaulted by the very people they're trying to treat!<br /><br />I don't think the people in charge can do much tbh. Everything's strict here, but the problem is <i>huge</i>. They've tried taxation, education, punishment...nothing seems to work. In my opinion, these people will continue to be a liability for the health service and the state until the drinking/smoking <i>culture</i> is changed. I can't say much about the patients you treat, but speaking about the people I've encountered...I think if binge drinking and smoking became less fashionable, we'd all be better off. But hey what do I know, I'm just a goody-two-shoes who doesn't drink or smoke ;-)PseudoRandomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01993144590186704387noreply@blogger.com