Alcohol Use Among Military and Paramilitary Personnel Deployed for Peace Support Operation: Matters Arising

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 <.: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 trentm<.:nt: counsel personnel on substance usc/abuse: and teach otlicers being deployed on adnpti' c coping skills