Response to commentary on Editorial “Towards an evidence based alcohol policy”

Ranil Abeyasinghe

doi:10.4038/sljpsyc.v2i2.4041

Abstract

The Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry (SLJP) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal published bi annually by the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists.The Journal publishes original papers, brief reports including case reports and commentaries relevant to psychiatry and allied sciences. The Sri Lanka Journal of Psychiatry is committed to maintaining and conforming to the editorial and ethical standards recommended by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.Cover “Watching and waiting to catch the first rays of dawn, similar to gathering knowledge of psychiatry during my early years of training”. Dr Charani Anuradha Abayaweera, Post-MD Psychiatry trainee

Highlights

Mahesh Rajasuriya proves the very point I was trying to make in my editorial on alcohol: that it is difficult to have a rational discussion on alcohol due to the highly emotive nature of the topic, which is why it is difficult to have a rational alcohol policy in Sri Lanka
That Pakistan has a total ban on alcohol and that it is a country with very high heroin consumption are facts
Mahesh Rajasuriya’s response highlights this very problem even more. As for his dismissal of our findings with regard to a randomised control trial of alcohol education in two villages in Sri Lanka, I am glad to report that our findings at the end of six months were re-confirmed after a further follow up study at 24 months; this research has been submitted for publication

Summary

Introduction

Mahesh Rajasuriya proves the very point I was trying to make in my editorial on alcohol: that it is difficult to have a rational discussion on alcohol due to the highly emotive nature of the topic, which is why it is difficult to have a rational alcohol policy in Sri Lanka. Response to commentary on Editorial “Towards an evidence based alcohol policy” The points he makes such as the need to substantiate every statement in an editorial are pedantic to say the least.

Results

Conclusion