Rajamahendravaram ;
In an effort to address the ill effects of consumption of alcohol, the Prohibition & Excise Department launched a “Counseling Centre for Alcohol Addicts” at its office in ‘Y’ Junction, Rajamahendravaram, on Monday.
The centre aims at creating awareness among the public about the ill-effects of consumption of alcohol. The Department has joined hands with Kartheek Kotnani, psychiatrist, in this venture.
N. Surjith Singh, Superintendent, Prohibition & Excise, Rajamahendravaram, said the State government has launched many programmes for the welfare of the people. However, irresponsible drinking on the part of alcohol addicts has been affecting their general and financial health. To address this problem and to create awareness on the ill effects of alcohol, the Department has opened the counselling centre
Expressing optimism on this encouraging step, Dr. Kotnani said consumption of alcohol was widespread. However, very few exercise restraint and the others end up as addicts.
To check this phenomenon, the centre would identify chronic alcoholics and counsel them to become occasional drinkers, and then totally wean them away from alcohol through medical and psychological intervention. On first day, 14 persons from different ages and backgrounds attended the session. The centre will function every Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Interested persons can enrol their names for counselling by visiting Prohibition & Excise Superintendent, Rajamahendravaram, ‘Y’ Junction, Rajamahendravaram.
Mr. Singh said the Department was conducting rallies and awareness programmes on the ill effects of alcohol every Saturday in areas where illicitly distilled liquor was rampant.