Jose Mieses Michel, director of Mental Health at the Ministry of Public Health, announced the creation of the Cluster for the Prevention of Harmful Alcohol Consumption and Promotion of Responsible Drinking. The Cluster is made up by 14 institutions to be coordinated by the Department of Collective Health of the Ministry of Public Health.
Mieses commented that studies show children here are initiated in drinking at around 10 years, and in most cases it is a parent or a relative who encourages the drinking. Mieses said that alcohol is related to at least 60 health problems, including premature birth, low birth weight, cancer, diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, mental disturbances, and many deaths in traffic accidents, brawls and other violent acts.
Mieses encouraged the population to celebrate the Christmas holidays with responsible drinking of alcohol, and to not drive under the influence. He urged businesses to comply with Law 136-03 that bans selling alcohol to minors.
The Cluster is formed coinciding with the recent media scandal of 18-year old Estefany Estevez who posted photos on her Facebook page showing her baby girl getting initiated in beer drinking. The mother was sent to three months preventive custody and the baby was sent to the care of relatives. Lawyers are appealing the order so she can continue her high school studies.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/11/27/347085/El-consumo-de-alcohol-se-inicia-en-el-pais-a-los-10-anos
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/11/27/347012/Entregan-custodia-de-bebe-que-aparece-en-Facebook-con-botella-de-cerveza-a