Alcoholism in Mongolia
source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112485545
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Louisa Lim's third installment of NPR's week long series on Mongolia.
22% of Mongolian men have a problem with alcohol. 72% of violent crime is fueled by alcohol.
In the early 90's, after the fall of communism, factories closed and poverty befell much of the population. With vodka extremely cheap and available, and 20 to 23 percent of the government income coming from taxes directly related to alcohol use and sales, it is a hard habit to kick. There is a liquor store for every 270 people in the country, the highest ratio in the world. Both the Russians and Chinese used cheap alcohol as a tool for colonizing Mongolia. "After vodka, anything would have seemed like a good idea" one Mongolian is quoted as saying.
This addiction to alcohol is blocking both economic and social progress in the country.
"As Mongolia struggles to find its way, this epidemic of alcoholism is undermining its progress. If left untackled, it could become a national emergency."
22% of Mongolian men have a problem with alcohol. 72% of violent crime is fueled by alcohol.
In the early 90's, after the fall of communism, factories closed and poverty befell much of the population. With vodka extremely cheap and available, and 20 to 23 percent of the government income coming from taxes directly related to alcohol use and sales, it is a hard habit to kick. There is a liquor store for every 270 people in the country, the highest ratio in the world. Both the Russians and Chinese used cheap alcohol as a tool for colonizing Mongolia. "After vodka, anything would have seemed like a good idea" one Mongolian is quoted as saying.
This addiction to alcohol is blocking both economic and social progress in the country.
"As Mongolia struggles to find its way, this epidemic of alcoholism is undermining its progress. If left untackled, it could become a national emergency."
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