May 2011

 

High-Risk Drinking Among Adolescent and Young Adult Males: Implications for Alcohol Policies

Prevention strategies focusing on education and awareness are most common in targeting youth and young adults aged 15-24 years. These programs are effective in impacting knowledge and awareness and building capacity through skill development to reduce high-risk use. However, their implementation should be supported by the environmental interventions and effective alcohol control policies to reduce sales to minors and prevent intoxication of youth.

Wettlaufer, Manafò, & Giesbrecht, 2011

Please join us on Tuesday, June 28th from 11:00AM-12:15PM for a FREE webinar organized by the Alcohol Policy Network at the Ontario Public Health Association, titled High-Risk Drinking among Adolescent and Young Adult Males: Implications for Alcohol Policies. The purpose of this webinar is to share findings of a systematic literature review that focused on factors which influence high-risk drinking among adolescent and young adult males.

The results of the review will help inform the most effective strategies to reduce the rates of high-risk drinking behaviour and alcohol-related harm, while supporting future alcohol-related injury prevention initiatives.

The systematic review and recommendations were prepared for Peel Public Health in Ontario to support the work of the Substance Misuse and Injury Prevention Team; findings shared, however, can be applied to other jurisdictions.

This presentation will feature researchers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Ryerson University along with public health professionals from Peel Region Public Health.

Registration will close on June 20, 2011 at 5:00PM or when the session reaches capacity.

 

Mental Health Awareness Week

May 1-7 was Mental Health Awareness Week. This is an annual national event sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association. This important event encourages people from all walks of life to learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues relating to mental health. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Mental Health Awareness Week.

It was, therefore, more than fitting that just after Mental Health Awareness Week concluded, Bell Canada announced a $10 million donation to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation, making an historic milestone in its Transforming Lives Campaign.

“There just hasn't been this type of commitment from the private sector and civil society … to support the public sector in our movement to create a better world, to help people with mental illness and addictions live their best lives,” said CAMH President and CEO Dr. Catherine Zahn.

The links between alcohol and mental health are well-known. APN is happy to promote their revised Information Pack on Alcohol and Mental Health. This information pack delves into the complex issue of alcohol policy and mental illness, offering background information and a collection of regulatory frameworks on the subject.

Please visit APN's Information Pack on Alcohol and Mental Illness to access statistics, new reports, and other valuable information.

 

The Alcohol Policy Network: A Year in Review

The small staff team of APN has worked diligently over the past year with our funder, partners, Advisory Committee, and clients to bring alcohol policy issues to the forefront of public health. This is accomplished through our catered consultations, evidence-based research, regular training opportunities, extensive and current website, sharing of information and ideas over the APOLNET Listserv, and many other avenues.

Founded in 1995, the Alcohol Policy Network (APN) addresses alcohol-related harm in communities across Ontario through research, recommendations, practical tools, and the application of knowledge. In addition, APN supports public health intermediaries in the development of policies addressing issues associated with alcohol abuse and misuse.

Below is a snapshot of assorted highlights from the past fiscal year. We thank all of our valuable partners throughout Ontario (and beyond!) for assisting with such great and valued accomplishments.

• Provided 45 timely and professional consultation services;
• Contributed to over 100 planning meetings and strategic thinking forums with public health professionals;
• Implemented and evaluated several catered alcohol policy workshops for over 120 health unit staff and applicable community businesses and groups;
• Produced quarterly professional alcohol policy webinars on evidence-based research and practical application, attracting nearly 200 participants;
• Produced a “Research Brief” on Alcohol and Taxation in Ontario;
• Accepted to the McMaster University Medical Journal (Spring 2011 edition) for the research paper Alcohol and Community-based Violence;
• Held the 8th hugely popular Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity Forum, attracting 96 participants along with a forum on alcohol pricing and taxation, attracting 65 participants, in collaboration with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health;
• Contributed print resources to numerous e-bulletins and presented throughout Ontario at several conferences;
• Increased APOLNET Listserv membership to 594 members;
• Released regular editions of the Alcohol in the News subscription email service and the Issues to Watch monthly news column.

To discuss APN’s services further and how APN can assist your agency in the coming months, please contact our program coordinator through our website.