Alcohol Policy Update
A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Alcohol Policy Network
Feel free to copy & distribute
Vol. 4 January 1997
"Often, it takes only one individual or one idea to ignite an entire community into action."
— Karen Ferruccio, Past Chair, Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership
New Year... New Priorities
For Alex and Rin Van Hemert, who lost their only daughter and son-in-law in an alcohol-related crash several years ago, the pain never goes away. Alcohol hurts more than those who perish in drinking-related collisions and their families. Its impact is felt by:
- partners and children who are physically and sexually abused, or who suffer financially or emotionally because of alcohol problems within the family
- people, many of them teens and young adults, who are injured in alcohol-fuelled fights, falls and swimming mishaps
- businesses and workers who suffer the consequences of employee alcohol abuse, including absenteeism, reduced productivity and workplace injuries.
In short, alcohol misuse is not limited to heavy drinkers and its negative consequences go well beyond liver disease. Even moderate levels of alcohol are known to lead to health-related harm. In addition, people who use alcohol carelessly — if only a single time — can cause car crashes or workplace injuries.
The passage of Bill C-72, which disallowed self-induced intoxication as a defence for violent crimes, reinforced the philosophy that people are responsible for their behaviour, even when intoxicated. But it is not enough to promote individual responsibility. Alcohol misuse has serious consequences for society. Broad-based polices that promote harm-minimizing choices at the individual level can also reduce a wide range of health and social problems at the community level.
To ensure a future with fewer victims of alcohol misuse, those concerned about public health and safety call for a multi-pronged strategy, one that includes:
- policies to control access to alcohol
- harm reduction strategies to reduce high-risk drinking practices and prevent alcohol-related injuries and deaths among vulnerable groups such as teens, young males, drivers and street people
- health promotion initiatives and public education campaigns aimed at both mainstream and multicultural communities
- accessible, effective and well-coordinated early intervention, treatment and continuing care programs.
Ontario's Substance Abuse Strategy offers a vision for addressing alcohol and other drug problems — one that promotes community involvement and includes health promotion, enforcement and treatment. But the year ahead poses tremendous challenges for Ontarians. Controls on retail availability and alcohol advertising and promotion may be weakened; funding for community-based prevention, early identification and treatment services may be drastically reduced. Already, the past 18 months have seen significant changes to alcohol policy at the federal, provincial and local levels, most notably:
- a proposal to transfer responsibility for broadcast alcohol advertising from the CRTC to the Canadian Advertising Foundation
- deep cuts to federal substance abuse agencies and initiatives
- reductions in federal transfer payments for health and social services
- the merger of the provincial liquor licensing board and the Ontario Gaming Commission (yet to be implemented)
- cuts to myriad health promotion, primary prevention and anti-drinking and driving programs
- the implementation of automatic 90-day licence suspensions for suspected impaired drivers.
The impact of these developments on public health and safety are analysed in Priorities, developments in alcohol policy in Ontario, 1995-96, a new publication produced by the Alcohol Policy Network, the Addiction Research Foundation, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and the Ontario Public Health Association. Targeted at individuals active in health promotion, injury prevention, policy development, law enforcement, education and addictions treatment, this useful document identifies opportunities for action in the coming year to achieve three goals:
- maintain a strong and effective regulatory framework for the manufacture, sales, service, advertising and promotion of alcohol products,
- improve the enforcement of existing regulations related to impaired driving and alcohol sales and service,
- empower individuals and communities to deal with alcohol-related problems locally.
Three hundred copies of Priorities will be distributed free of charge to selected public health units, community health centres, district health councils, addictions agencies and community groups across the province in January.
Additional copies may be purchased from the Alcohol Policy Network at the low cost of $15 ($20 for out-of-province residents) plus $5 postage and handling. To order your copy please return the order form on page 3 along with a cheque or money order payable to the Ontario Public Health Association.
For more information on current issues in alcohol policy check out our web site.
Alcohol Misuse: What's the Impact?
According to a 1995 ARF survey, one in three Ontarians experiences one or more problems as a result of their own drinking. Among the problems reported:
- Physical Health (23%)
- Friendships or Social Life (17%)
- Finances (11%)
- Home Life or Marriage (10%)
- Work, Studies or Employment Opportunities (8%).
Ontario figures are consistent with Canada-wide data which show that one in five current and former drinkers (24% of men and 15% of women) feel their own drinking has harmed them in some way at some point in their lives.
Nearly three out of four Canadians (drinkers and non-drinkers alike) say they have been harmed at some point in their lives by others' drinking. Of the estimated 9.4 million Canadians (41 per cent of the population aged 15 and over) who experienced some alcohol-related harm in 1994 as a result of someone else's drinking:
- 19% were insulted or humiliated
- 14% had serious quarrels
- 11% were pushed or shoved
- 7.5% were passengers with a drinking driver (19% among 15 to 24 year olds)
- 0.4% (92,000 Canadians) were sexually assaulted.
Sources: Canada's Alcohol and Other Drugs Survey, 1994. Ottawa: Health Canada, Fall 1995; Paulette West et al, Alcohol Policy, Consumption Patterns, Access to Alcohol and Harmful Effects of Drinking. Preliminary Report based on the 1995 Ontario Alcohol and Other Drugs Opinion Survey.Toronto: ARF, November 1995.
Alcohol Policy Round Up
Got any local alcohol policy news you'd like to share? E-mail, fax or mail us the info and we'll get the word out."
Sunday Shopping On Hold
For the second year in a row, the government of Ontario gave the green light to 1,500 LCBO and Brewers Retail stores to remain open on Sundays and/or extend their regular weekday hours during the busy pre-holiday season, provided that local communities had no objections. In total, some 466 LCBO outlets and 400 beer stores across the province opened their doors from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on December 8, 15, and 22 and/or extended hours to 10 p.m. the week before Christmas. Concerns over public health and safety led 30 communities, including Hamilton, to veto the option within their boundaries. According to LCBO spokesman, Chris Layton, government stores generated $12.9 million in gross sales during the 3 Sunday shopping days, mostly as a result of an overflow of customer traffic from the other days of the week. Although MCCR Minister David Tsubouchi says there are no plans to allow Sunday shopping at beer and liquor stores year round, a final decision on the issue is not expected until a comprehensive review of beverage alcohol retailing announced by the government last summer, is completed. Details on the framework for privatization/modernization of provincial agencies such as the LCBO are expected to be released in the next few weeks. Also expected soon is the Red Tape Review Commission's report, including recommendations to streamline liquor licensing across the province. For more information, contact Chris Layton, LCBO Media Relations Coordinator, 416-864-6772; Jan Wescott, Brewers Retail of Ontario, 416-971-4094; or Neil Smith, Red Tape Secretariat, 416-314-5712.
Liquor Regulations Tightened
On October 29, MCCR Minister David Tsubouchi announced changes to the Liquor Licence Act preventing establishments whose liquor licence has been denied, suspended or revoked from using caterers' endorsements or special occasion permits to continue to serve alcohol. The move was welcomed by community activists and police forces across the province. For more information contact the MCCR Communications Branch, 416-326-8535.
Automatic Licence Suspensions Introduced
At 12:01 a.m. on November 29 police across the province began handing out automatic 90 day licence suspensions to drivers who refuse to give a breath test or blow over the .08 legal limit. The only grounds for appeal of administrative driver's licence suspensions (ADLS) are mistaken identity and inability to provide a breath sample for medical reasons. As of midnight January 13, 2,567 licence suspensions had been issued. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is currently developing a framework for evaluating the impact of this initiative on road safety, police resources and the courts. For more information contact Heather Clark, MTO, 416-235-3635 or visit the Alcohol Policy Network web site.
CAF To Review Alcohol Advertising
Despite strong opposition from health and safety groups across the country, the CRTC is expected to relinquish control over broadcast alcohol advertising to the Canadian Advertising Foundation (CAF). An announcement will be made in mid-February. For more information contact Susan Morgan, CAF, 416-961-6311.
Federal Drug Policy Review Continues
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health is continuing its review of federal drug policy. The exercise is expected to have wide ranging impacts on substance abuse prevention efforts across the country. For more info contact Pierre Rodrigue, (819) 997-2429, or check out our homepage in February.
A Year in Review... Opportunities Ahead...
Priorities, developments in alcohol policy in Ontario, 1995-96 is a new publication of the Alcohol Policy Network, a province-wide group dedicated to the promotion of healthy public policy with respect to alcohol. Written in accessible language, this useful resource summarizes recent developments in alcohol regulation and control in Ontario and Canada and outlines priorities for 1997. A must read for senior policy makers, health and addictions specialists, anti-drinking and driving groups and others concerned about the health and safety of Ontario workplaces, families and communities.
Ontario residents $15 per copy (out-of-province orders $20), plus postage and handling. Limited quantities. Forward requests and cheque to the Alcohol Policy Network, Ontario Public Health Association, 468 Queen Street East, Suite 202, Toronto, ON, M5A 1T7, Fax: 416-367-2844.
News & Views
Public Education Campaigns
The Association to Reduce Alcohol Promotion in Ontario (ARAPO) has developed a communication campaign to raise public awareness of alcohol advertising on drinking. The campaign includes a poster, pamphlet with check list, and mail-in card. For more information contact Simone Cusenza, 416-740-9593.
Conferences & Workshops
On Thursday March 20, Parkdale Focus Community Watch, Ontario Neighbourhoods for Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service and the Alcohol Policy Network will sponsor Why Should We Care? a community forum on the sale of alcohol. Set to take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre in Parkdale, the evening will feature two guest speakers, one presenting on the American experience, the other on the current alcohol policy environment in Ontario, as well as representatives from the Addiction Research Foundation, the LLBO, LCBO and others. Free. To register contact Simone Cusenza, 416-740-9593 or Ana Almeida, 416-367-3313 ext. 23.
APN and the Peterborough Health Unit are currently planning a one-day alcohol policy seminar for late February/March aimed at individuals in public health, injury prevention, enforcement, education, etc. living and working in Peterborough and surrounding communities. Details will be available in the next issue of Alcohol Policy Update. For more info contact Anne Gallant, 705-748-2021. Groups interested in hosting similar regional workshops please contact Paula Neves, 416-367-3313 ext. 27.
The Ontario Injury Prevention Resource Centre in partnership with OCCID, the Smartrisk Foundation and the Community Safety Councils of Ontario will be holding a conference on injury prevention and impaired driving, March 2-4 at the Radisson Hotel (Don Valley and Eglinton) in Toronto. For more info call Bev Woods, Project Coordinator, 416-367-3313 ext. 25. For a registration form contact Kathleen Orth, ext. 22.
Publications
Report on Feasibility Study Investigating Collection of Emergency Department Data on Drug Use, prepared by the Metro Toronto Research Group on Drug Use, outlines the results of a 1996 study of drug-related emergency departments in three downtown Toronto hospitals. For a free copy, contact Dr. Joyce Bernstein, City of Toronto Department of Public Health, 416-392-1560 ext. 87081.
Promoting Healthy Communities: a position paper on alcohol policy and public health, was recently released by the Ontario Public Health Association to promote informed discussion and collaborative action on the prevention of alcohol-related problems. To order a free copy contact Nolly Baksh-Singh, 416-367-3313 ext. 24.
New Groups
The London and Middlesex Alcohol Policy Coalition was formed recently following an APN workshop in the region. Its purpose: to identify and act upon policy and advocacy strategies to avoid and reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse. Current members include representatives from the London police, University of Western Ontario, Fanshawe College, Neighbourhood Watch, London Municipal Council, Atenlos Native Family Violence Services, ARF and the Middlesex-London Health Unit. To get involved contact Arlene Breadner, 519-663-5317 ext. 2276 or Janet McAllister, 519-433-3171.
About Us
Alcohol Policy Update is a bi-monthly fax-news-letter of the Alcohol Policy Network, a province-wide voluntary group with an interest in alcohol policy.
APN does not take public positions on issues, although its members, and its sponsor, the Ontario Public Health Association, may do so.
Information appearing in this newsletter in no way constitutes an endorsement by the OPHA or its members. Submissions welcome. Printing subject to space availability.
If you would like to continue receiving Alcohol Policy Update but haven't yet signed up as a Network Member or Supporter, fax us your application form and we'll ensure you remain on our mailing list. We'll also send you a complimentary copy of Facts on Alcohol Policy, a limited edition binder produced by the Addiction Research Foundation full of useful statistics and background information on various aspects of alcohol policy.
Please direct any comments or suggestions regarding Alcohol Policy Update to "APOLNET" staff :
Paula Neves : 416-367-3313 ext. 27 or
Ana Almeida : 416-367-3313 ext. 23
Internet E-mail: apn@opha.on.ca
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