The situation with the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the Republic of Belarus over the past few years continues to be tense.

Analysis of statistical data on the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the country for the period from 1990 by 2011 years shows the presence of a negative trend of their sustainable growth. According to the data of the National Statistical Committee, the aggregate level of alcohol sales in Belarus since 1970 by 2011 almost doubled over the years: from 6,4 to 12,3 liters per capita.

The number of people on dispensary registration in narcological dispensaries for 01.06.2012 years of persons with alcohol dependence is 178 033 human.

For the first time put on dispensary registration for 5 months 2012 of the year 10 003 human, what is 105,93 on 100 000 population, 543 people, survivors of alcoholic psychosis.

To the emergency departments of somatic hospitals in a state of intoxication for 5 months 2012 year delivered - 32 356 human, What's on 3,2% more than the same period last year.

Mortality from accidental alcohol poisoning 4 months 2012 years compared to 2011 year has decreased by 22,8 %, mortality from causes, associated with alcohol consumption 18,8%.

The internal affairs bodies, in cooperation with those interested, constantly organized raids to identify devices and mini-factories for the manufacture of moonshine and moonshine mash, suppression of moonshine brewing in forest lands. So, in 2011 seized and destroyed 1 114 314 liters of moonshine and moonshine mash, 413 495 liters of counterfeit alcoholic beverages, including those made at distilleries from low-quality raw materials and in violation of the requirements of technical regulations. Cut off 11 275 facts of illegal sale and storage of alcoholic products. To administrative responsibility for the manufacture or purchase of alcoholic beverages (moonshine) semi-finished products for their manufacture (brews), storage of moonshine stills involved 7 132 faces, for violation of the requirements of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 9 september 2005 r. № 11 "On the improvement of state regulation of the production and circulation of alcoholic, non-food alcohol-containing products and non-food ethyl alcohol” – 2 289 persons.

Sociological surveys of the population and experts - employees of public authorities, health care, education and culture show a high level of social anxiety and concern about the prevalence of drunkenness in the country, alcoholism, drug addiction and smoking, as well as their negative demographic, economic, social and other consequences.

The Institute of Sociology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus conducted a study of the culture of drinking alcohol and the social effectiveness of anti-alcohol policy. It revealed, that the prevalence of drunkenness and alcoholism is mainly influenced by the following factors: low standard of living of the population (43,5%), lack of interesting activities in free time (38,3%), improper upbringing in the family (37,5%), hardships of everyday life (36,4%), "drinking" traditions and customs (34,8%), availability of alcoholic beverages (34,3%), a large volume of production and sale of alcoholic beverages (25,7%), family quarrels and conflicts (26,3%), extensive advertising of liquor on television and other media (22,2%), insufficient anti-alcohol education and upbringing (19,9%), low prices on liquor (19,1%), ineffective anti-alcohol policy of the state (17,6%) etc.

The Institute has developed the main tasks of anti-alcohol policy, among which the main one is the creation of favorable economic, political, social, cultural, organizational and managerial, legal and other conditions for the prevention and reduction of alcohol consumption, counteracting drunkenness and alcoholism, formation of a healthy lifestyle, development of economic and social welfare, quality of lifestyle and spiritual culture of the population.

Необходимо формирование в общественном мнении нетерпимого отношения к пьянству и алкоголизму и ценностных ориентаций на здоровый образ жизни без употребления спиртных напитков.

IN 2011 The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus approved the third State Program of National Actions to Prevent and Overcome Drunkenness and Alcoholism in the 2011 – 2015 the years.

As a result of the implementation of the activities of the State Program in 2011 already achieved:

decrease by 7,8% the number of offenses and crimes, committed by persons, being under the influence of alcohol (29 168 in 2010 year, against 26 906 in 2011 year) - according to plan 1-5%;

decrease by 0,7% number of persons, suffering from chronic alcoholism (178 608 in 2011 r. against 179 871 people) according to plan for 2-3%;

decrease by 3,5% number of minors, drinking alcohol with harmful effects (16 874 people in 2011 g., against 17 489 people. in 2010 g.) - according to plan 3-5%.

decrease by 3,5% deaths from accidental alcohol poisoning (2 388 in 2011 r. against 2 475 in 2010 g.) according to plan for 5-7 %.

reduction in the number of accidents at work due to the presence of employees in a state of intoxication annually by 5-6 %.

Unfortunately, there is an increase in 12,3% number of persons, survivors of alcoholic psychosis (scheduled to decrease 7-8%) and an increase in road traffic accidents, committed by persons, who are in a state of alcoholic intoxication 1,2%, from 1 490 in 2011 r. to 1 473 in 2010 r. (scheduled to decrease 4-5%).

IN 2012 the use of new clinical protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders was launched, caused by the consumption of alcoholic beverages and drugs.

In order to inform the population more widely about the possibilities of treatment and rehabilitation for alcoholism and drug addiction, a "Hotline" was organized for narcological patients (8-801-100-21-21), free for calls to landline phone subscribers.

IN 2011 году Министерством здравоохранения Республики Беларусь были проведены три республиканские антиалкогольные информационно-профилактические акции.

IN 2012 year, the Ministry of Health will continue to implement the activities of the State Program of National Actions to Prevent and Overcome Drunkenness and Alcoholism in 2011-2015 the years. A draft resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus “On the establishment of an Interdepartmental Coordinating Council for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction” has already been prepared., protection of the population from the consequences of tobacco product consumption under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus”.

28 june 2012 r. The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus approved and agreed with all interested ministries and departments. A set of measures, aimed at reducing the alcoholization of the population, drug use and reduced mortality, caused by controllable causes.

Реализация всех намеченных мероприятий позволит снизить уровень алкоголизации населения и тем самым качественно повысить уровень здоровья населения.

Head of the Department of Narcology

State Institution "Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health"

Ph.D. honey. Sciences V.P. Maksymchuk