Alcohol Policy Network to transition to Public Health Ontario on April 1, 2012

In the past two years, the Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) has been refocusing its efforts towards enhancing its contribution to not only its members, but also to advancing public health within the province. In consideration of the needs of its membership,mandate and strategic direction, OPHA has made the difficult decision to divest the Alcohol Policy Network (APN) to Public Health Ontario (PHO). OPHA believes this move will not only support its own goals and objectives, but also benefit APN’s clients and stakeholders.

APN has built a reputation as a support for a province-wide network of over 600 individuals and organizations dedicated to the promotion of healthy public policy with respect to alcohol. As of April 1, 2012, PHO will deliver APN services as part of its capacity building services under the direction of Dr. Heather Manson and her Health Promotion, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention team.

Public health practitioners will benefit from increased access to PHO’s scientists, content experts, applied research and our capacity for program evaluation, planning and knowledge exchange. In turn, APN’s services will allow PHO to coordinate, align and build capacity resources in alcohol policy.

APN has a long history with OPHA. PHO looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate with OPHA to strengthen the public health system in Ontario.

Over the coming months, PHO will be collaborating closely with APN, OPHA and you, our stakeholders, regarding the new service model and to ensure continuity of service during this transition. Our website will be updated as more information becomes available. For frequently asked questions and answers, visit the Public Health Ontario website.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the promotion of healthy public policy with respect to alcohol.

April 2012

The April 2012 edition of Issues to Watch is now available online. We highlight the issue of Campus Alcohol Policies seen to Mitigate Alcohol-Related Harms and Reflections on Alcohol Policy in Ontario.