Palau government promotes alcohol drinking in sponsored events

Over the weekend, Palau was busy bustling over our 13^th Independence Day Celebrations. These celebrations began on Friday September 28^th and continued until Monday October 1^st. There were many activities to join in for everyone.

The Ministry of Health assisted in setting the pace for this year’s celebration by overseeing the Healthy Lifestyle Fair in Bethlehem Park for most of Friday the 28th of September while other government agencies contributed their efforts to reduce waste by participating in the Walk and Pick activity spearheaded by the Environmental & Conservation Committee. Saturday saw a flurry of activities at pre-dawn that began at the Palau Community College parking lot where busses waited and bused walkers, runners, and supporters to designated spots for the marathon, walk-a-thon, and bike-athon.

In addition, we at the Cancer Program were busy bringing the Cancer Awareness Month to a close. Our close-out activities began with an Outreach Clinic to the State of Melkeok, a Healthy Lifestyle Fair held at Bethlehem Park and a Palau-wide Candle-Light Vigil held in every state and at Bethlehem Park in Koror. Early Saturday morning, cancer staff members piled into one of the program’s van and headed out to Ollei Port in Ngarchelong to join the Alcohol Recovery Program of Behavioral Health to officially end a month filled with awareness building activities. Yes, September was a busy month for both the Cancer Program and the Alcohol Recovery Program in the Bureau of Public Health.The celebrations on Saturday began early in the morning with a marathon from Uruung, Ngarrard to Ollei Port, a Walk-a-thon from Ngarchelong Elementary School also to Ollei Port and cyclists paddled from Ngerulmuud, Melkeok to Ollei Port. As part of the ending activities for both the Cancer Awareness, and Alcohol Recovery month, various Ministry of Health Staffs were at Ollei Port in the early hours of Saturday, through heavy rain and gusty winds to welcome these athletes. These activities were followed by the Harley Davidson Motorcycles show, a live band, and raffle drawing.

 

The Republic of Palau is a wonderful and beautiful island that welcomes a diverse mix of activities and people in all its endeavors and celebrations. The 13th Independence Day celebrations were no different. The air in Ollei Port was charged with excitement and the early morning drizzle that was followed by a strong gust of wind did not dampen that spirit. With heady anticipation the preparation for the afternoon activities took on a pulsating tempo when the President and his entourage rolled in in their Harley Davidsons and leather jackets. The kids stood in awe as the Harleys charged the air with their thunder that was only slightly outdone by the whipping Budweiser flags unfurled by the westerly wind. What a sight it was indeed!

All the preparations for the Independence Day Celebrations were well on their way. The Governor of Ngarchelong had charged his constituents with preparing local delicacies to be sold to (local) festivity participants. The special guests were venerated with a table lavished with the best that the state had to offer. Lisa and her band were gyrating to the ocean breeze. We are humbled at this legacy that this young President has set.

As a host, Palau is rivaled by none, however some activities were quite disturbing—especially when the Ministry of Health is trying to promote Healthy Lifestyles, Alcohol Recovery and Cancer Awareness Month. From a Cancer Program point of view, what disturbed me about these activities was the fact that when these honored guests showed up at Ollei Port, they were flying “Budweiser” flags, and that some immediately lit up cigarettes upon arrival. This just killed the work we were promoting!!

 

Further more, I noticed some of these honored guests drank alcoholic beverages at the Ollei Port even though there was a sign that clearly stated “Pursuant to RPPL. No.11 §1086 (c) Distribution and consumption of intoxicating beverages in public place – no person may distribute or consume any alcoholic beverages in any public place in the Republic other than: (1) Places licensed by the Bureau ……any person who violates this subsection shall be fined not less than $100.00 nor more than $500.00 or shall be imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both”. Moreover, after consuming their alcohol beverages these honored guests got back on their mode of transportation and drove right back into town. What does that say about safety? Injury is the third leading cause of death in the Republic of Palau. Doesn’t Emergency Health Promote Safety? Aren’t we responsible enough to know that drinking and driving is NEVER a good idea?

The above signs are visibly posted at the summerhouse in Ollei Port and at the entrances to both sides of the Japan-Palau Bridge. Although printed in English, I noticed many of our honored guests, and visiting foreigners alike, were drinking alcohol in these public places. How does that look for those of us who are trying to promote healthy lifestyles and the burden of Cancer in our society? More importantly, how is that image portrayed to our youths? Won’t they think drinking alcohol and riding a motorcycle is cool?

Palau turned 13, and it is about time we own up to our ideas and beliefs. It would have been nice if the organizing committee for this year’s Independence Day activities kept in line with the Healthy Lifestyle theme that we were all promoting. Maybe it’s time we all spoke with one voice, instead of sending contradicting messages, especially to those impressionable 13-year-old minds that stood in awe as those Harleys rolled in leaving their mark in our future for the second year in a row!

By. M. Ebil-Rois Lawrence