Polotsk: Nation's health discussed at meeting of Presidium of Council of Republic

5 июля 2021

The issues of improving the nation's health were discussed in Polotsk at the meeting of the Presidium of the Council of the Republic. It is necessary to increase the role of labor collectives and trade union organizations in solving the problems of alcoholism among the population. This point of view was expressed by Chairwoman of the Upper House of the Parliament Natalia Kochanova. The parliamentarians worked in an expanded composition today. Heads of Health, Education Ministries, Ministry of Internal and church representatives were invited to the dialogue. It is possible to defeat alcoholism only together, the speakers agree. The meeting was held at the Cultural and Educational Center of the Polotsk, Spaso - Euphrosinevsky Monastery. The Diocese of Polotsk has experience in the spiritual rehabilitation of people who suffer from addictions. At the meeting, it has been noted that it is the asocial lifestyle of parents that often becomes the reason for the removal of children from the family. So, this year alone 5 000 children were recognized as being in a socially dangerous situation, more than 600 were taken away from their families by the guardianship authorities. In a state of alcoholic intoxication, the overwhelming majority of crimes in everyday life are committed.

Natalia Kochanova - Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus:

There are 18 000 orphans in our country. They are mostly social orphans. A drunk person, a person under the influence of drugs can commit a crime against relatives and friends, state and people.  

Benjamin - Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus:

When one person is susceptible to the ailment of drunkenness, about 10 people around him suffer. In fact, this affects the state of the entire society.

Members of the Presidium of the Council of the Republic visited the legendary ice arena of Novopolotsk. Another one was opened here in 2019. In addition to the hockey players of Khimik Club, pupils of Specialized Children and Youth School of Olympic Reserve showed their skills here. With the opening of the new playground, the school has a short track department. Also parliamentarians visited the Museum of History and Culture.