Naalakkersuisoq: The situation is extremely serious – alcohol restrictions not yet in question

Naalakkersuisoq for children and families opens up for reforms, more foster families and increased responsibility to civil society. But when the question of alcohol restrictions is asked, he leaves it unanswered.

Recently, the police have been busy with a wave of suicide threats, and Tusaannga has experienced extra pressure on the phones. Suicide threats characterize everyday life, and on Wednesday, the Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Maasi Pedersen (IA), chose to hold a press conference about the serious situation.

The police have now entered a period where suicide threats are a part of everyday life. On Wednesday, the child and family area of Naalakkersuisoq, Maasi Pedersen (IA), held a press conference.

Here he acknowledged that neither the Greenland government nor the municipalities can solve the problems alone. More citizens must take responsibility.

Although he is still forming an overview of his field, he is now opening up some of his thoughts on what future reforms might look like.

That’s why people turn to Tusaannga

Tusaannga is an offer for children, young people and adults in Greenland who want advice to handle challenges in their lives.

The inquiries typically concern:

Suicide Loneliness Sexual abuse Grief and death Violence Mental health problems Relationship problems

Source: News

Maasi Pedersen sees a clear connection between alcohol abuse and the social problems that particularly affect the country’s children and young people.

Therefore, he asks himself the question of when to take tighter control of alcohol consumption. However, he does not specify what this entails.

The seriousness is so great that the Greenlandic government is using the word ‘state of emergency’.

– I would like to admit that I have thought about whether there is a need for a state of emergency and when that limit has been reached, he said at the press conference.

Money for foster families

Although action plans have been made, the number of assaults, alcohol abuse and suicides is still high. But according to Maasi Pedersen, the solution is not necessarily to throw more money into the system.

– When you think about those who need help, we lack warm hands. We can allocate a lot of funds, but we risk not being able to use them due to a lack of staff.

Do you need help with suicidal thoughts?

Do you feel alone and need someone to talk to?

You are not alone. Most people need to be listened to during periods when life or a situation is experienced as so difficult that they cannot handle it alone. We have time to listen. Tusaannga’s counselors listen and can help you put your challenges into words. They can also give you tools for how to handle difficult circumstances in your life. Telephone counseling is an anonymous personal conversation between you and a counselor where you determine the content of the conversation. All children, young people and adults who need to talk or write to someone can contact Tusaannga. It is anonymous and free to contact Tusaannga – you can also call or write even if you no longer have Tusass.

Phone: 80 11 80 

SMS: 1899

Source:Hearing

Training and recruitment are a long-term solution that does not help here and now, says Maasi Pedersen.

Today, the state spends almost half a billion kroner a year on placements – especially in residential institutions. Therefore, naalakkersuisoq is thinking of increasing the remuneration for foster families, so that more people will accept foster children, the costs of residential institutions can be reduced, and the staff can use their time more effectively.

– We would rather use foster families than residential institutions. Growing up outside a home should always be the last option.

Traffic light of grief

Caseworkers have told Maasi Pedersen that families are divided into green, orange and red zones before they can receive help.

But it is only when you get into the most serious, red zone, that help is provided today. This makes many lose trust in the system or fear seeking help, he says:

– We need to think about whether it should be possible for caseworkers to go out to those who need help, if they are welcome.

Overall treatment

Before Christmas, an expert group submitted 17 recommendations for new alcohol policy to Inatsisartut. The recommendations were based on knowledge about Greenland and other Arctic countries, as well as WHO’s, the World Health Organization’s, recommendations.

The first eight recommendations are about imposing more restrictions on alcohol and raising the age of purchase from 18 to 21. However, the party chairmen from Atassut, Naleraq and Siumut told DR that they will not be involved in introducing more restrictions.

KNR has tried to get a comment from naalakkersuisoq whether he will proceed with the recommended restrictions, now that he himself is considering when the state should take tighter control. This has not been possible before the deadline.

However, Maasi Pedersen says that he is continuing to work with the previous coalition’s plans to establish a comprehensive treatment facility, Inulerivik.

– The purpose of this is that if someone asks for help, we should grab the ball and refer them to where they can get help, said Maasi Pedersen.

Although the new Naalakkersuisoq opens up for tighter governance, it is difficult to know how far he and Naalakkersuisut will go to solve the problems.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D) has saidthat the Greenland government will make reforms, and some will be harmful. Can you rule out a national alcohol ban?

Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D) has said,that the Greenland government will make reforms, and some will be harmful. Can you rule out a national alcohol ban?

– The Greenland Government has not reached the point where we should talk about interfering with people’s freedom in terms of closing down alcohol sales. If there are people who want this in individual places, we would like to hear about it.