Calls for responsible alcohol trading
The alcohol industry in the Western Cape injected billions into the economy, but there were two sides to the industry.
|||Cape Town - The alcohol industry in the Western Cape injected billions into the economy but there were two sides to the alcohol industry, Western Cape MEC for Economic Opportunities Alan Winde said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a liquor licence Holders conference at the Malmesbury Town Hall, Winde said the wine industry contributed over R30 billion to the South African economy each year.
“We know that it is an important economic contributor..at the same time we are very aware that the abuse of alcohol is driving social harms,” he said on Tuesday.
Citing how wine tourism brought in R6 billion, thereby boosting the hospitality industry, he said such economic examples were “the positive side of this industry”.
The negative side, he said, was the impact alcohol abuse had on the fabric of society.
“Alcohol is the third-largest contributor to death and disability in our region, and 70% of trauma victims in Western Cape hospitals test positive for alcohol, and an estimated 70% of crimes are linked to substance abuse,” he said.
This had triggered a study in alcohol-related trauma and injuries, called the High-Five project.
Winde said the study looked at the causes of injuries at trauma units in Khayelitsha, Nyanga and Elsies River.
“The results showed that alcohol use was reported or suspected in over half (53.2%) of all violent injuries,” he said.
Noting how alcohol-related injuries and illness cost the Western Cape Government R6 billion each year, Winde said: “This is R6 billion which could have been used for service delivery to improve the lives of our residents.”
“These harms are being driven by irresponsible suppliers, traders and consumers”.
Winde highlighted the fact that government was not solely responsible for this adverse impact of alcohol on society. “We need suppliers and traders to be responsible. We need citizens to be responsible,” he said.
The conference was the third engagement the Western Cape Liquor Authority had hosted with licence holders over the past month, managing to reach over 400 traders during sessions in Parow, Claremont and now Malmesbury.
Winde added: “As policy makers, the Western Cape Government will continue to explore innovative ways to combat alcohol abuse in the province.”
ANA
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