President Johnson Toribiong in an Executive Branch Policy on alcoholic beverages said that “consumption of alcohol continues to create social, economic and health problems for the people of Palau.”
Toribiong said unlike the policy in previous administration, “it is not appropriate for the government to pay for alcohol consumed at government functions.”He said because of this new policy, all restaurants and caterers should be made aware that government officials who consume alcohol at government functions should pay for their own drinks.The president said it is not the responsibility of the government to use taxpayers’ money to pay for alcoholic beverages.“All persons attending such functions should be made known of this policy.The new policy will also educate the citizenry about the dangers of alcohol.Earlier the Bureau of Public Safety is beefing up efforts against drunk driving and underaged drinking.In Palau statistics from the police and the Ministry of Health showed that high consumption of alcohol contributes to accidents and assaults especially involving young men.
