World Alcohol-Free Day is an annual global day on October 3rd. On World Alcohol Free day communities around the world join together to celebrate the benefits of the alcohol-free way of life; to support people making alcohol-free choices and building alcohol-free communities; to raise awareness about the real effects of alcohol and how to protect people and communities from the alcohol industry and to encourage decision-makers to do more in order to protect and promote the human right to health and development through alcohol policy solutions. In 2020, the World Alcohol-Free focuses on the benefits of making alcohol-free choices, empowering people to live healthy lives and build sustainable communities.
To observe the day, YPSA arranged a sharing meeting on 3rd October 2020 at Conference room of YPSA Head Office. Mr. Md. Arifur Rahman, Chief Executive presided the meeting. Mr. Palash Chowdhury, Director (Finance) and Mr. Monzur Murshed Chowdhury, Director (Economic Development) were presence in the meeting. Besides YPSA staffs from different departments were present in the meeting. Ms. Nasim Banu, Deputy Director (Social Development) shared a presentation on the significant of the day and current global and country context of alcohol use.
In the meeting, it was shared that the harmful use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions which kills 3 million people worldwide every year. This represents 5.3% of all deaths. Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life. Worldwide, alcohol is responsible for 7.2% of all premature mortality. Mortality resulting from alcohol use is higher than that caused by diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and diabetes. Through its multiple health, social and economic harms, alcohol is a massive obstacle to sustainable human development. Alcohol is a massive obstacle to sustainable development for individuals, communities and entire societies, as it adversely affects 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Alcohol use is on the rise in Bangladesh and it is particularly higher among some specific populations. Targeted intervention programs may help stop this increasing trend. Participants in the meeting shared ideas and strategies that need to be addressed to protect people from Alcohol use.
World Alcohol-Free Day is a joint initiative of Movendi International and the 142 member organizations from 56 countries. YPSA is one of the members of Movendi International in Bangladesh.
