Alcohol Use Among Military and Paramilitary Personnel Deployed for Peace Support Operation: Matters Arising
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The increasing waves of violence in se,·eral pans of 'igcria has given rise to a situation in "hich soldiers and
special police units are tlcplo~ ed in such areo.~s to restore'maintain penct: nnd tranquil it). Documented e\ idence intltcates that
hea\) alcohol consumption is \ery common among mnn) ofthe military and paramilitary personnel so deployed. In this pap..:r.
bas..:d on e:xtensi\ e rcvie\\ of the empirical literature and information obtained from several military sources. \\e e\plored the
extent of alcohol consumption among militat') nnd pnra-mil itary personnel deployed for peace-keeping missions across '\Jtgerin.
\Ve also highlighted the various problems associated with heavy consumption of' alcohol by these ofticers on specia l dut). r h..:sc
probkms include the tendency for the mission to be compromised thmugh laulty perceptua l processes and decision ma~ing:
unnecessary loss of lives of personnel: unnecessary loss of lives of civilians through military brutal it~. extra -jud i.: ial killlllgs.
··accidental discharge" and other unto\\nrd occurrence that are more like!~ to occur as a result ol e\cessi' e usc lll akohul.
Rdc,·ant authorities should institute robust psychologicnl ·mental health sen ices \\ hich should. in addition to performing other
routine functions. conduct resenrch, training and treatment: counsel personnel on substance usc/abuse: and teach otlicers being
deployed on adnpti' c coping skills.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General)