By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The revelation made by a psychiatrist from Mumbai, Dr AL Deshpande recently on the prevalence of over 70 out of 100 percent alcoholics in the state has drawn flaks from the Meghalaya Medical Services Association (MMSA) who termed this statement as ‘off-hand statement’.
It was on Friday during a one day interactive session on, “Presentation on alcoholism and AA as a Resource for Help” held at Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) when Dr Deshpande made an assertion based on a study conducted on random-basis in the region that seventy out of every hundred person in Meghalaya is an alcoholic, a figure that rings an alarm for the State.
Strongly reacting to this finding, the MMSA on Sunday challenged this statement made by the Mumbai-based psychiatrist and the study conducted in the region even as they mentioned that such unfounded revelation could tarnish the image of the State and its people.
“It is impossible to say that 70 out of 100 persons are alcoholics in the State as the same would indicate that even children are alcoholics”, MMSA general secretary Dr Aman Warr said adding that it is very incorrect to make such off hand statements.
Questioning the precision of this study conducted, Dr Warr asked “When and how was this study conducted?” while adding that they have never come across such a big figure in their course of study on the issue in the State.
Appreciating the Mumbai-based psychiatrist for raising his concern for the State in this regard, Dr Warr said that he is right when he said that it is not a disgrace for those alcoholics who seek help but “It is a disgrace for him to make such unfounded statement which holds no ground”, Dr Warr added.
Calling upon the scholars and researchers to bring out factual study especially on topics as sensitive as this, the MMSA general secretary said that it is very important to produce facts and correct figures as this concerns the image of the State and its people.