Readers assistance required in PNG alcohol research

KEITH JACKSON

PATRICK HOWLEY (pictured), a Marist Brother, has lived in Papua New Guinea since 1966, transitioning through a number of assignments from teaching at St Xavier’s on Kairiru Island to his present post in the Flexible Learning Faculty at Divine Word University in Madang.

He has authored a number of important books including Breaking Spears and Mending Hearts about restorative justice in Bougainville and Crossroads to Justice, a biography of Sinaka Goava and his father Guava Oa. Another book is on the way and will eb reviewed in PNG Attitude soon.

At present, Brother Pat is writing an article on alcohol abuse for publication in the DWU Journal.

He has some good ideas about how the problem can be addressed in PNG but is finding ti difficult to track down information on such matters as alcohol production and profitability in PNG. Even locating the SP Brewery annual report has proven to be elusive.

Brother Pat has also so far found it impossible to find statistics relating to road deaths, and their causes, in PNG.

So we’re putting out this call to those of our readers who may be able to assist Brother Pat with his research. You can contact him via the Comments link below.

Comments

[Raka Numa Raula]

For the record, the Constitutional and Law Reform Comission has done research into this area, in terms of a framework for alcohol and drug policy for PNG.

It plans to publish an information paper on the issue. It might be a good idea to get in touch with the office on phone 3252862/2840 or write to the Secretary for the Commission at P o box 3439 boroko, fax 3252862.

[Roderick Wathen]

I would like to contact Brother Pat; to me a former mentor, Passam headmaster, teacher extraordinaire and namesake of a Northern Territory railway station.

Greetings and warm regards.

[Laurence Quinlivan]

Perhaps Brother Pat could approach Francis Nii (Administrative Officer, Simbu Children Foundation and permanent resident at Kundiawa Hospital) for stories relative to alcohol abuse.

[Warwick Brandes]

SP Annual Report is at http://www.apb.com.sg/annual-report.html
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Thanks Warwick - KJ