Villagers in the Indian province of Bhadwai have resorted to desperate measures in a bid to stem the wave of alcoholism sweeping the area.

Despite alcohol being illegal there, offcial figures estimate that 1 in 10 people over the age of 16 are alcoholics, rising to a rate of 1 in 5 for men over 50. The preferred drink, no doubt due to its low cost and ease to make in backyard stills, is a form of local moonshine brewed from rice grains.

Desperate to fight back against rampant drunkeness, and associated disease such as liver cirrhosis, that is wreaking havoc among families, local police and doctors have sanctioned a desperate treatment.

Anyone found drunk by police upon more than 2 occasions, or anyone whose families sign affadavits naming them as alcoholics, is taken and buried up to their necks in the village square. Locals are invited to come and heap insults upon them, adding to their shame.

There the alcoholics stay for 2 weeks whilst they detox. Food and water is provided by their family, or by local authorities if an alcoholic has nobody to care for them. Upon being removed from the ground they are immediately hosed down with water in order to remove the accumulation of faeces and urine.

Local authorities estimate the success rate of the radical treatment to be as high as 65%, and this writer estimates his gladness at not living in Bhadwai at about 100%.