This study uses the recent experience from India, which rapidly shifted between total countrywide prohibition of alcohol and unrestricted sales during this brief period, to argue against using the present crisis to bring about quick changes in alcohol policy in India. Instead, the researchers advocate sustained, incremental pressure to develop and enforce alcohol control measures in public health delivery systems, in addition to demand reduction measures.

Author

Jayant Mahadevan, Lekhansh Shukla and Vivek Benegal (email: vbenegal@gmail.com)

Citation

Mahadevan, J., Shukla, L. and Benegal, V. (2020), Alcohol controls in the aftermath of the COVID‐19 pandemic in India: Commentary on Stockwell et al. 2020. Drug Alcohol Rev.. doi:10.1111/dar.13158

Source
Drug and Alcohol Review
Release date
07/10/2020

Alcohol Controls in the Aftermath of the COVID‐19 Pandemic in India: Commentary on Stockwell et al. 2020

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions have resulted in additional challenges for persons with alcohol use disorders as well as for the effective operation of alcohol controls in different societies. The challenges are different in different systems and economies. Crises such as these often provide governments with opportunities to remake systems.

This study uses the recent experience from India, which rapidly shifted between total countrywide prohibition of alcohol and unrestricted sales during this brief period, to argue against using the present crisis to bring about quick changes in alcohol policy in India. Instead, the researchers advocate sustained, incremental pressure to develop and enforce alcohol control measures in public health delivery systems, in addition to demand reduction measures.

Source Website: Wiley Online Library