Alcohol abuse and interventions strategies in Botswana and China: A preliminary study

Abstract

Alcohol abuse is a prevalent social problem in both Botswana and China. Research has shown that there are significant costs associated with alcohol abuse that impact on individual users, their families and the society as a whole. Despite the existing intervention strategies in the two countries, alcohol abuse and its related problems continue to escalate. Based on a review of the literature, this paper explores the extent and nature of alcohol abuse experienced in Botswana and China as well as the current strategies used to address alcohol abuse. The literature shows that in both Botswana and China there is a high rate of alcohol abuse, but relatively weak intervention strategies. As a result, this paper concludes by proposing a comparative study based on collaborative research into the strategies of addressing alcohol abuse in both countries with a view to informing public policy.