Michel and his friends are college students who used to party one weekend every two weeks before the Covid-19 pandemic erupted in the country and changed the course of life. Their studies have since moved online but they still live together in a rented house in Kimironko, Gasabo District. For a group five young men who live together, they pass their time playing games like cards after class, tell stories, watch TV or browse on their phones to pass the time especially in the lockdown when they can’t physically connect with their other friends. “It is more tolerable and games are more fun when we are tipsy,” says Michel. They order their drinks from liquor stores via Vuba Liquor or Bralirwa on Vuba Vuba app. Even if Michel says it’s ‘only sometimes’, all the five end up drunk most of the days of the week. Now it has become a habit that even when they don’t have enough money to order from the app, a vendor in their neighborhood gives them some beers on credit. They have become habitual drinkers and daily hangovers have led to poor performance in their classes lately. According to the head of drug abuse prevention and management, Dynamo Ndacyayisenga, at Rwanda Biomedical Centre; “People may seek consolation in substance abuse” while social gatherings and outings are shut down. “Amidst this pandemic, people fell and are still falling sick, lost their loved ones, are losing their jobs, and are not living life as they used to before, so it’s understandable that they are frustrated and hence some may regard drinking or smoking or any other related vices as a means of escape,” Nzayisenga added. In addition to the fact that Rwanda is among the countries with the highest consumption of alcohol in the region, local beverages manufacturers have been experiencing a tremendous increase in profits despite the closure of bars, clubs, and other activities that were usually characterized by the presence of alcoholic drinks. This affirms that people drink alcohol in their homes, even in larger quantities. Dangers The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned that drinking alcohol in excessive quantity, or substance abuse, in general, or may distract the body from tending to other body functions. In these times as we fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, together with other existing diseases that have not ceased despite the crisis caused by Covid-19 itself, one may not want to take lightly matters of their immunity. Nzayisenga also reminded, “now that students are at home for holidays, with their parents and people they regard as examples; they may normalize and start drinking alcoholic drinks as they see their elders do in their presence. Most of them are under age and more prone to addiction if they are exposed at an early age, and that’s not to speak about their young strong immunity that would be hindered”. Psychology experts also put forward that children tend to feel less secured in households with parental alcoholism which may affect their peace of mind, or boost trust issues as they grow. Prevention As suggested by Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC), the state/communities could limit the days/hours that alcohol can legally be sold; or limit the quantity which can be purchased per take. Also Addiction Group that aims at promoting healthy alcohol consumption habits, shared in an article ‘How to prevent alcoholism’; avoid emotional drinking when one turns to alcohol as means to get rid of negative feelings, and avoid keeping alcoholic beverages at home. Nzayisenga also urges people to keep their social lives adapted to the imposed restrictions, as we contain the spread of the covid-19, “Call your loved ones, engage socially on different platforms like Whatsapp and do other activities with those you live with, instead of drinking as self-distraction while you are poisoning yourself instead”. Different people also recommend that listening to music, following radio and TV programs, watching movies, following an online course may also help one to cope with the loneliness that comes with some of the restrictions. Jessica Uwamariya, a mother of four children, also shared; “This could be a good time to regain interest in the people we live with, discover and play with them; encourage and check on each other as we look forward to more happy days in the future”.
