February 2009

 

Niagara Region Health Unit Alcohol Update

In December 2008, the Niagara Region Health Unit (NRHU) presented a report on the impacts of alcohol as it relates to Canada, Ontario, and the Niagara Region to the Co-Chairs and Members of the Public Health Social Services Committee, a regional committee.

The presentation and accompanying document was built on the Ontario Public Health Standards' overarching principals of Need, Impact, Capacity, and Partnerships / Linkages. By looking at health through this lens, public health is enabled to bring common knowledge within its silo to external decision makers who otherwise might not know about alcohol’s various harms. Additionally, they introduced two key documents: the World Health Organizations 2002 World Health Report, where alcohol is listed as the third leading risk factor for disease in emerging and established countries; and Dr. Jurgen Rehm’s 2006 report [PDF], which illustrates that substance use in Canada was approximately $40 billion in 2002 and alcohol accounted for approximately $14.6 billion in costs. Thereby, decision makers and senior policy writers have become informed and are enabled to take relevant and responsible action regarding alcohol. Moreover, the NRHU notes that stakeholders within the region have acknowledged alcohol’s relevancy; specifically, the Niagara Regional Police Service through a 10-year study on Motor Vehicle Crashes.

The NRHU reported that the presentation was well received and that regional councilors have shown interest, are requesting more information, and have come forward in wanting to partner with the health unit.

As a result of the meeting, alcohol and its associated harms are being talked about in different regional circles.

For those who are interested in the document, please contact Andrea Smith at andrea.smith [at] niagararegion.ca

Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity

The theme this year: Alcohol Across the Life Span: Current Research and Practical Applications for Alcohol-Related Harm with a focus on Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention.

Join us on Thursday, March 5, 2009, from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. for our 6th annual forum, Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity. The aim of this forum is to bring Substance Misuse Prevention professionals together with Injury Prevention and Chronic Disease Prevention professionals to discuss how to help mitigate the effects of alcohol in these topical areas. The forum also provides an opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange.

This year we will be discussing the link between alcohol and injury prevention, along with alcohol and chronic disease, and how this knowledge translates into evidence-informed practical programming. Discussions around the recently released Ontario Public Health Standards will also be part of the day.

This forum will be held at the North York Memorial Community Hall, 5110 Yonge Street, in Toronto.

New in 2009: Participants will be charged a $75 registration fee. The fee includes: two snack breaks and a catered lunch; a printed summary of the past five alcohol policy forums; a participant package containing printouts of presentations and background documents, and discussions with renowned expert speakers.

Scheduled speakers include:

• Dr. Louis Gliksman, Alcohol Trends in Ontario;
• Dr. Phil Groff, Alcohol and Injuries: Research into Practical Application;
• Dr. Robert Mann, Recent Developments on Drinking and Driving and Effective Responses;
• Dr. Norman Giesbrecht, Alcohol and Chronic Disease: Research into practical application;
• Pegeen Walsh, Director, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Ministry of Health Promotion;
• A Public Health panel addressing the topics above and answering questions from participants.

Novice 101 Téléconférence

Le domaine de la prévention de la consommation abusive d’alcool et d’autres drogues est-il nouveau pour vous ? Occupez-vous votre emploi depuis moins d’un an et aimeriez-vous savoir où vous procurez les toutes dernières nouvelles, outils et autres ressources pour vos programmes ?

Veuillez vous joindre à nous le 12 mars 2009 à 10h00 pour participer à une téléconférence éducative GRATUITE qui portera sur la prévention du mésusage d’alcool et d’autres nouvelles drogues, pour les professionnels de la santé travaillant dans les unités de santé publique, dans les centres de santé communautaire, aux seins de comités de sensibilisation aux drogues, des groupes communautaires et d’autres coalitions ainsi que d’autres intervenant(e)s intéressé(e)s.

Cette téléconférence éducative vous permettra :

• de mieux vous familiariser avec les paramètres et les contraintes du domaine du mésusage;
• d’améliorer vos connaissances des stratégies efficaces au sein du domaine du mésusage;
• d’accéder davantage à des ressources de soutien.

Cette téléconférence innovatrice est divisée en deux parties : une présentation du domaine du mésusage et une visite virtuelle des ressources disponibles des 6 partenaires-experts provinciaux. La présentation sera en français avec la période de questions et réponses sera bilingue.

Advertising Ban for Children Teleconference

A 2007 Canadian study estimated that 'tweens had an annual purchasing power of $2.9 billion in Canada and influences the spending of another $20 billion in Canadian households. On March 17, 2009, Brian Cook, a researcher at Toronto Public Health, will present on the move for an Advertising Ban to Children. His presentation will examine the science and art of advertising, the research of advertising, how kids interpret advertising, the connections between food advertising and alcohol advertising and what role public health can play.

The objectives of this learning teleconference are:

• To understand how the marketing industry thinks;
• To compare the differences and similarities between the food industry and the alcohol industry;
• To review the different options to restrict children’s advertising.

The deadline to register is Tuesday, March 10, 2009. Space is limited and registration will close early if we reach capacity.

CAMH Resources

The Winter edition of CAMH’s CrossCurrents is currently in circulation. The present edition’s focus is on alcohol and the current approaches to treatment and recovery. Some of the articles in the publication include:

• "The challenge to integrate drug therapy with psychosocial treatment";
• clinicians and support groups working together to enhance recovery;
• whether harm reduction has its place in aboriginal communities.

In addition, CAMH has also released a new pamphlet on "Partying and Getting Drunk". The pamphlet reviews:

• What binge drinking is;
• The repercussions of binge drinking;
• The risks of binge drinking;
• The signs of alcohol poisoning;
• What one should do if they confront someone with alcohol poisoning;
• How to be safe when you drink;
• Steps for people to stop drinking.

For a copy of either one of these publications you can download it from the CAMH website or you can contact the sales and distribution line at: 1-800-661-1111.