ninehillsRAMBLE in the JUNGLE
alcoholism in the cameroons
By Wanaku Verdzekov · · The Cameroons
Date note: Undated Facebook note, written between 2011 and 2014.
Tags: alcohol, public-health, accountability
While it is really not funny, drinking (or alcoholism, which is medically a disease) has been around in this sub-region for a long time.
Without public services to help citizens affected by this disease kick the habit, one can say it is criminal for the so-called government NOT to hold to account the corporations that produce and distribute alcoholic products without any deliberate framework to help consumers who become addicted, or diseased, through over-indulgence.
In fact, in a more enlightened context, the government and these corporations would be in a court of law, facing prosecution and paying damages to affected citizens.
But when the law-makers are the law-breakers, you tell me: what to do?
— Wanaku Verdzekov
Reading & grammar
Reading level: Gr 9–11
Understand
- Why does the author call alcoholism a disease?
- Who does the author think should be held accountable?
- What does "when the law-makers are the law-breakers" mean?
Grammar focus: chiasmus. "When the law-makers are the law-breakers" reverses parts of a phrase for effect. This mirror pattern is called chiasmus.
Try it: Write your own chiasmus (for example, "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing").
Discuss: Should companies that sell harmful products pay for treatment? Argue.