Mongolia’s Alcoholism

UB Post

July 09, 2010

MONGOLIA produces oceanic amount of alcohols, and it is causing the nation to sink it. Every adult Mongolian is reported to be drinking three liters of ethanol spirits per year (total amount of locally produced and imported vodkas, beers, and wines converted into pure spirits).

Alcoholic beverage production, and selling has grown by huge amount. And, the country’s treasury fund is being enriched by excise tax collections implied on vodkas and beers. Birthday, reception for state award recipients, party for new home, graduation day, endless Naadam festivals, as well as world events and Olympic games, especially these days of football matches are not spent without drinking of vodkas and beers. Vodka and beer producers are making their best too.

There is no any place that didn’t build more capacity outdoor beer garden outside of its restaurant. In addition, the government’s Child Money social transaction is making money for vodkas for many low in-come families. Thank to alcoholism in Mongolia, children with genetic disorders are being born lately.

A friend of mine, who has recently traveled to famous Shargaljuut resort and spa, told me that he saw hundred of wheel-chaired children that have spinal anomalies are being taken to the resort place. Last year, same place received three times higher children. Generally speaking, mongoloid type of people or yellow skinned races have no or little ferment to process vodka compared to white skinned people. That’s why we get easily drunk, and get poisoned more.

Russia’s northern indigenous yellow skinned races, minorities of koryaks, chukchi, nenets, and native American Indians have had negative impact of alcoholism. Is there any social reason for alcoholism abuse? it is time we need to make it social debate. In Mongolia’s society, a number of people, who have no goals for their life, have been growing a lot. Life goal, for most people, is too much lower than their real opportunity. We have almost no model person that the whole society can learn lesson from. People do not know about any Mongolian who has succeeded by setting up big goal for life.

Media organizations are not even covering this success stories. You can’t find anyone, who has truly succeeded by using his or her own talents and knowledge, that never used high public position or never ever seek favor from someone influential. There is no hope for life for most of the people. Labor pay is too low, almost half of which goes to the State as tax dues.

Mongolians need to raise our children in alcohol free environment. It is time to make a choice for people other than alcohol. Human Development Fund may fund physical and sporting activities. More public access to gyms and sporting facilities need to built and healthy style of life should be created for all.