Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for Belizeans and alcohol is a factor in most. And that is why when we heard about a proposed motion to ban the sale of alcohol in Belize, it caught our attention. Sure it was just a debate as part of Wesley College’s drug prevention week, but as we found out, though academic, the motion on banning the sale of alcohol was also emotional.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The motion tore Wesley College’s student body in half as students packed inside the Wesley cathedral waged a spirituous academic debate on the merits and demerits of banning the sale of alcohol.
Janelle Griffith, Opposes Ban
“Guinness has a great amount of iron and iron is a major component in making blood thus Guinness acts as a catalyst in that process. It is the abuse of alcohol which makes it a hazardous product in the country.”
Darwin Westby, Proposes Ban
“The opposers talk about alcohol save lives well let me enlighten you on some information, last year traffic reported 200 accident deaths and 125 were due to alcohol. And second they are trying to hog wash you in thinking that alcohol is good for health.”
Janelle Griffith,
“Illegal-izing zing alcohol will result in other illegal actions. People will be begin smuggling the product, steal, or injure those who have it on their person. The Lord does not discourage drinking, he discourages drunkenness. That entirely depends on the individual’s consumption however everyone is not a Christian and refers to the holy bible so with respect to us as a multicultural country – alcohol consumption is that person’s right of freedom and expression. The Constitution of Belize, chapter 2 section a, b and c. “
Darwin Westby,
“Laws are developed to deter persons or individuals from affecting himself, others and the society. Alcohol has proven to be a hindrance of affecting oneself, others, and the society which results in high levels of child abuse, family neglect, violence, death, and other factors so it should be today that alcohol should be made illegal.”
Fourth form student Darwin Westby was one of the more passionate debaters. He along with Ella Martin and Derrick Conorquie argued for the motion.
Darwin Westby,
“Main argument was that it destroyed the homes, the individuals, its
not beneficial to no one except the producers. We just want people out there to know that alcohol should be illegal and if you put it on a scale, the bad of alcohol outweighs the good of what alcohol can do for you. We believe what we were arguing and we would want to see a dream come true in Belize and that alcohol be banned completely from Belize.”
But that won’t happen in the Belize Stacey Walker and her team lives in. They argued against the ban.
Stacey Walker, Opposes Ban
“We were just trying to get the people to understand that alcohol is not a bad a substance, its not a bad thing and it won’t cause a bad
effect if you take it the correct way. Well from the research I’ve already done, I do believe alcohol is a good thing because as I said before we use it in rum cake, rum popo, we use Guinness to build up the blood so it is a good thing.”
But that is academically speaking of course and Wesley College Principal Brenda Armstrong says she’s all for an academic debate but there is no debating her policy on alcohol use among her students.
Brenda Armstrong, Principal – Wesley College
“While in the process of a debate we will voice opposing views, the position of our institution remains clear: that as long as you are a student here, you will refrain and do your best – no matter if the Kool-Aid sour, you will drink that as opposed to the strengthening iron giving Guinness.”
And its clear that message has already got through to these students because the motion proposing a ban on the sale of alcohol passed.
Drug prevention week continues tomorrow with Red Ribbon Day which begins with a church service followed by a parade. This is Wesley College’s Ninth annual Red Ribbon Week.
