Zambia's Senior Public Servant sacking after drunken TV programme appearance puts spotlight on the problem of high alcohol consumption in the country

 

Excessive alcohol drinking is a major public health and social pandemic in Zambia https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/10/26/zambia-ranks-first-in-alcohol-consumption-in-the-region/ . The number of alcohol addicts is also growing given statistics indicating that the country was ranked 87^th in global consumption in 2023 https://www.reportlinker.com/clp/country/49/726321 . Of course drinking on the job is prohibited and can result in instant dismal. Many companies and organisations in Zambia have work place policies prohibiting use of alcohol and drugs in the work place. This could be a standalone policy or regulations included in other human resource policies. But the problem has persisted.

The firing of a high ranking civil servant, allegedly because he appeared drunk when he featured on a television programme aired on a national broadcaster, is making rounds on social media. His official termination letter, written by his appointing authority, the Zambian republican President, is attached as a photo, to the social media posts. Of course there are many ‘likes’ and comments. Rather than celebrate this man’s downfall I think we need to have honest and deep conversations on this problem as a people. The biggest and hardest question is: Are we providing enough support for alcohol addicts or preventing excessive drinking as a society (in the home, work place, places of worship, public trading places-malls & markets etc)?

Part of implementing a good anti substance abuse work place policy is to provide a safe environment for the regular employees as well as invited guests. I believe a television or radio station or studio is a work place. The producers or editorial team should not go ahead with the broadcast if they notice that the interviewer or the interviewee/s is drunk. This is more progressive and supportive to the person battling alcohol abuse. This raises questions about the safeguards the national broadcaster that interviewed the dismissed civil servant took into account.  What safeguarding actions should have been taken before airing the programme or proceeding with the interview? Did the station carry out due diligence checks (or editorial censorship) to protect the viewers (possibly close family and friends of the man) from seeing the interviewee drunk? What can the station and other broadcasting houses learn from this unfortunate incident in terms of alcohol and drug work place policy enactment and implementation?

 As a society, we need to be more supportive rather than judgemental and feasting on mockery and celebrating the downfall of others. Many of us are battling with alcohol or drug addiction personally or have a friend, relative or acquaintance who is. Let us not laugh our heads off and shame the person living with alcohol or drug addiction. We are all affected.

I had a privilege of meeting Brian Chishimba last year. Brian Chishimba is a survivor of 14 years of alcohol and drug addiction. He has been alcohol and drug sober for more than 8 years. He is the author of “Triumph over Alcohol and Drug Addition”. Brian is a living example that there is hope. An addict can recover. His book provides a very graphic, touching and heart breaking life of an addict. He provides hope in the same book by narrating his journey to sobriety.