How big a problem is alcohol abuse in Africa? | DW News

a recent report from the World Health Organisation found that most Africans don't drink alcohol at all - and never have done.

More than 70% of Africans have never drunk alcohol or are former drinkers. How does that compare with the mainly Muslim Eastern Med? Abstention there is above 95%. And in Europe? It is almost the opposite to Africa - nearly two-thirds of Europeans say they do drink alcohol.

Whatever they are drinking, adults in those Muslim-majority countries in Northern Africa and the Middle East consume about 16 grams of pure alcohol per day.

European drinkers consume twice as much: about 32 grams every day. Despite having fewer drinkers, African drinkers consume even more alcohol: about 33 grams per day. Just for the sake of comparison that's about two and half glasses of wine every day.

But although relatively few African adults drink, those who do, drink a lot.

So is there such a thing safe drinking? The WHO says clearly there is no safe level for alcohol consumption: There is danger in every drop. So what is life like for those heavy drinkers?

Europe and Africa have the highest number of alcohol deaths in the world. In Europe, there are 53 deaths per 100 thousand drinkers and Africa loses 52. Compare with the mainly Muslim countries where alcohol consumption is lower - the deaths caused by drink are far lower -- just 9 per 100 thousand.

But some lives are blighted by booze even before they begin. Alcohol is a potent poison, especially for the developing fetus in a mother's womb - a condition called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD. South Africa's wine industry is centered on Westen Cape and it's no coincidence that the province has the highest rate of the alcohol disorder --in the entire world. Dianne Hawker reports from Cape Town.

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