Reducing Alcohol-related Harms

Without exception, after tobacco, alcohol is consistently recognized across the country as the substance that causes the greatest harm. As such, the problematic use of alcohol has become the number one priority to address because it significantly contributes to the burden of disease.

Alcohol consumption can result in fatalities and serious injury through motor vehicle collisions, suicide, violence, health effects, mental illness and FASD. The significant social and economic costs of the problematic use of alcohol include lost productivity and increased law enforcement efforts. Reducing alcohol related harms is of particular concern in Aboriginal communities, as well as among youth, seniors, and pregnant women. Its effect in the workplace is also of concern.

There are many stakeholders in Canada who intervene in various ways to prevent, reduce and address the harms caused by alcohol. Responsibilities are largely dispersed among levels of government, non-government organizations, academia and the industry itself.

Some responsibilities are, however, shared among partners. These include prevention, research, taxation, regulation, and responsible advertising. Nevertheless, there is a need to identify specific areas of focus where partners can use their respective influence toward national action.

In certain limited circumstances, evidence strongly supports the need to address problematic alcohol use while recognizing the documented positive health and social effects associated with moderate alcohol consumption. Steps to be taken involve a combination of population-based policies and targeted interventions including: comprehensive and coordinated action to promote the use of routine screening and brief interventions by health care professionals for hazardous drinkers or those at risk; developing and promoting policies to reduce chronic disease, including FASD; addressing the drinking context (e.g., in bars, at sporting events etc.) and promoting the use of targeted interventions (e.g., server and door staff training); structuring alcohol taxes and prices in a purposeful manner; and developing a culture of low risk drinking rather than one of binge drinking (excessive drinking) for both youth and adults.

Update

In November 2004, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse hosted a thematic workshop, sponsored by Health Canada National Alcohol Policy to:

identify topics of national concern related to alcohol policy that could be addressed through a collaborative approach to policy development and research;
identify possible policy directions within these topic areas; and
to identify strategies and mechanisms to facilitate movement on priority policy directions.

The National Alcohol Strategy Working Group, with multi-sectoral membership, was formed and has met twice, in December 2005, and March, 2006. Its purpose - to identify policies that will reduce the level of alcohol related harms while acknowledging the benefits of alcohol to society; to develop recommendations of national scope, and outline mechanisms for coordination and collaboration within and across sectors; and, to assist in the development of a comprehensive and coordinated National Alcohol Strategy.