𝐎𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍- 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐎𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥, 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐀 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐮’𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐬

Last week, I visited a karaoke bar in Thimphu, and what I witnessed there left me not only baffled but deeply concerned about the direction our youth seem to be heading. The scene was alarming- young girls, most of them barely out of their twenties, working in an environment that posed significant risks to their physical and mental health. They weren’t just singing or hosting guests; they were actively engaging in heavy drinking, with a disturbing concoction of alcohol and energy drinks keeping them awake for hours on end.

As I sat there, talking to them, it became clear that this wasn’t just an isolated incident. In fact, this trend seems to be rapidly escalating among the youth in urban cities like Thimphu. One of the workers I spoke to, no older than twenty, shared how alcohol consumption had become a regular part of her job. Her words were chilling: “I have grown a resistance to alcohol, so I don’t get drunk easily anymore.” This was coming from a young woman who, at such an early age, had already conditioned herself to handle the physical consequences of excessive drinking. She and her colleagues had been numbing themselves with alcohol and energy drinks to meet the demands of their work, which often lasted long into the night.

When I asked about the reasons behind this behavior, one worker told me it was to stay awake and alert, as the pressure to cater to demanding target was relentless. These young women weren’t just taking a casual sip of alcohol; they were consuming large quantities to show their “commitment” to their roles. Customers often requested shots of whiskey, and while the workers might drink only half of what they were serving, the façade of heavy drinking was maintained throughout the night. What struck me most was that one of the girls shared that one of their friends had recently been hospitalized due to the toll this lifestyle had taken on her body. She had fallen ill from the exhausting combination of long shifts, high alcohol consumption, and the stress of the job.

It is deeply troubling to see how these young women, in the prime of their lives, are sacrificing their well-being for a profession that not only compromises their health but also exploits their vulnerability. The alcohol-fueled environment is, by all accounts, dangerous- both physically and emotionally. As these young girls become desensitized to the risks, they build up a dangerous tolerance to alcohol, which in turn threatens their future health prospects.

Yet, this trend is not unique to this particular karaoke bar; it appears to be a rampant issue across various entertainment venues in Thimphu and other urban areas. These places have become breeding grounds for a culture of excess, where the lines between entertainment and self-destruction blur. As I sat there listening to their stories, I couldn’t help but think about the long-term consequences of this growing phenomenon. What will happen to these young women in the coming years? How will their bodies cope with the constant strain of alcohol consumption and sleepless nights? And, more importantly, what will this culture teach the next generation about work, health, and self-worth?

This is not just an isolated issue of individual choice. It’s a societal problem that demands urgent attention. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the detrimental effect this trend is having on our youth. These young women deserve better. They deserve the chance to pursue careers that promote their health and well-being, not ones that put them in harm’s way. The government, along with other relevant authorities, must step in and take immediate action to address this alarming situation.

First and foremost, the government must regulate the karaoke and entertainment industries more effectively, ensuring that these workplaces prioritize the health and safety of their employees. Stronger regulations around alcohol consumption, working hours, and employee welfare are essential. There should be mandatory health checks for workers in these environments, especially if they are required to consume alcohol as part of their job. These checks could help identify early signs of alcohol dependency or other health issues before they spiral out of control.

Furthermore, there needs to be an open dialogue about the dangers of heavy drinking, particularly among young people. Education campaigns in schools and communities can help raise awareness about the risks of alcohol abuse, while also promoting healthier work environments. It is crucial to shift the cultural narrative surrounding alcohol consumption and ensure that young people understand the long-term consequences of their choices.

Lastly, we must create alternative, healthier career paths for our youth, ones that don’t exploit their vulnerabilities or put their health at risk. Young people should have the opportunity to pursue meaningful professions that contribute to their personal growth and the well-being of society, without being coerced into toxic environments that put their futures in jeopardy.

As a society, we have a responsibility to protect our youth and provide them with the tools to lead fulfilling, healthy lives. The karaoke industry in Thimphu is a symptom of a deeper problem- one that demands our attention and action. We cannot afford to ignore it any longer. The time for intervention is now. The health and future of our youth depend on it.