Police Told To Stop Boozing

ASP Atampiah

ASP EDWIN Atampiah, a medical officer at the Police Clinic in Sekondi has called on personnel of the Ghana Police Service in the Western region to stop the intake of excessive alcohol.

This he noted is because it could hinder them from effectively carrying out their duty of combating crime in all communities within the region.

He expressed concern about the alleged increased rate of alcoholism among some police personnel, indicating that alcohol causes so many health hazards like cancer, hypertension and liver problems among others.

Addressing some senior police officers in the region on some of the adverse effects on the intake of alcohol, ASP Atampiah debunked an erroneous perception that it was an appetite stimulant.

Drinking alcoholic beverages such as palm wine, 'pito,' 'brukutu' and the local gin popularly known as akpeteshie has been wholeheartedly embraced by Ghanaians including some police personnel.

ASP Atampiah said even though it had been alleged that alcohol could make people feel confident, less inhibited and more euphoric, alcoholic beverages had been credited for their notoriety in inducing depression, causing sleepless nights and sometimes   comas.

He challenged affected police personnel to make a conscious effort to quit drinking excessively or get prepared to die before their time adding, 'If you abuse alcohol, you could be gambling with your life.'

He pointed out that excessive intake of alcohol could substantially increase the risk of one getting some cancers.

'Many of you resort to the habitual taking of alcohol to give you the desire to eat instead of going for a medical check up to find out what is wrong with their health.'

The medical officer told the police personnel that if they wanted to live long and take good care of their families they should desist from taking alcohol and concentrate on their respective duties.

He also refuted the notion when people drink alcohol in moderation, it could offer some health benefits, pointing out that it would rather lead to serious health consequences.

'Stop thinking that when you take in alcohol as a policeman, it will help you become strong or help you perform well in bed, you must know that these perceptions will make you become addicted to it,' he noted.

  From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi