55% of Mumbai policemen seek solace in alcohol, nicotine

A study revealed that nearly 55 per cent of police personnel are addicted to either nicotine or alcohol.

A study carried out by doctors in Maharashtra -‘Health profile of Mumbai Police personnel’- has revealed that nearly 55 per cent of police personnel are addicted to either nicotine or alcohol.

The findings further state that nearly 53 per cent of the policemen in Mumbai belong to lower middle-class families and almost 84 per cent of them are serving the city for more than 15 years.

According to the study, 44 per cent of the police staff spend more than 12 hours on duty and 41 per cent spend more than 16 hours on duty. Several police personnel who are on-field eat mostly in vehicles.

The study also found that 51.8 per cent policemen have gastrointestinal problems because of occupational constraints and cannot follow fixed lunch and dinner schedule. Most of them are deprived of canteen facilities at major police stations.

Nearly 62.7 per cent of police force complained of “musculoskeletal” problems, brought on by standing on the duty for long hours, odd working hours and frequent travelling.