RECTOR of St Alban Parish Fr Ben Devi urges young people not to risk their lives by taking the deadly drink kwaso.

He told the congregation at St Alban Parish on Sunday that most young people are engaging themselves in drinking kwaso and taking other illegal drinks that spoil their body.

“Your body should be respected because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” Fr Devi said.

Fr Devi said last week he attended a funeral service of a young man who died as a result of drinking too much kwaso.

He said it is a general reminder for all congregations not to take kwaso, “take whatever drinks the body needs but not hot drinks that will spoil your body”.

According to Police, excessive drinking can cause problems like brain damage, hypertension, stomach inflation, ulcers and liver damage.

There can be confusion, permanent memory loss, cancer of the lungs, throat, stomach and mouth.

Tolerance and physical dependence to kwaso can develop with frequent use, Police said.

Tolerance means a person needs more kwaso to get the same effects as they did previously on the small amount.

Physical dependence means a person is likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using or cut down the amount of kwaso they use.

Signs of this are loss of appetite, feeling sick, anxiety, sleeplessness, irritability, confusion, sweating, tremors, cramping, vomiting and hallucination.

Kwaso is a common factor in accidents involving drunk pedestrians on the roads.

Drink-driving can also cause serious injuries and death.

Kwaso-related street crime and violence is a major problem for our communities.