The issue of alcoholism is not only a dimension of individual tragedies, it is also a matter of national community and a matter of national dimension - said the Speaker of the Sejm during the Sejm conference dedicated to the sobriety of Poles. Video: https://youtu.be/lAOXqFlyjfw

Marek Kuchciński pointed to the alarming data indicating an increase in alcohol consumption in Poland. He emphasized the importance of the place where the meeting was held, the place "where Polish laws are made, where democratically elected deputies sit", and the fact that recognizing the dimension of the problem, the Polish Sejm issued a special resolution this year, in which he explicitly stated that "In the history of Poland, concern for sobriety was connected with the pursuit of freedom, the rebirth of the Nation, as well as with defending the dignity of Poles". The Speaker pointed out the connection between sobriety and the nation's freedom, which is also mentioned in the resolution: "Sobriety is a way of thinking that preserves and develops one's freedom." One of the most important elements of the conference was responsibility. The speakers stressed its importance, pointing out the responsibility of the whole environment towards the addict, but also the responsibility towards the victims. - We cannot be indifferent to the crying behind the wall, the teacher cannot ignore the bruises on the child's body - said Agnieszka Litwa-Janowska, Chairperson of the Council of Supervisors of Addiction Psychotherapy.

The guests of honour were Minister of Health Konstanty Radziwill and Metropolitan of Krakow Marek Jędraszewski. The conference was chaired by Małgorzata Zwiercan, MP, president of the Parliamentary Group for Solving Addiction Problems.

Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski: Freedom is the possibility to decide about one's own destiny. An addicted person cannot decide about himself, he has no control over himself and his choices are deprived of this sharp, very important distinction between what is good and what is bad.

Health Minister Konstanty Radziwiłł: In a world which seems to be getting better and better there is still a huge number of Poles addicted to alcohol. It's a problem with such a social burden that no matter where we come from politically or socially and where we are active, it's something that needs to be addressed.