Alcohol Policy Update

A Bi-Monthly Newsletter of the Alcohol Policy Network
Feel free to copy & distribute
Vol.7 May/June 1997

"Boats and alcoholic drinks don't mix. Most people know enough not to drink and drive a car. But they forget that the same rule applies to operating a boat."
— Don't Rock the Boat: 10 Tips on Better Boating, pamphlet produced by the Ministry of Natural Resources

Boating On the Rocks

The night was clear and water conditions good. Suddenly the stillness was interrupted by a loud roar and the explosive ripping sound of expensive fibreglass. When all was quiet, a thirty foot cabin cruiser was high and dry on the 6' tall, 20' wide rock break wall. The skipper was charged with impaired vehicular operation.

The risks of drinking and boating are many and varied, ranging from property damage to death. Nationally, 80% of all drowning deaths involve alcohol consumption and 40% of recreational boating fatalities in Canada are alcohol-related.

In 1993, a coalition representing the boating organizations, police services, the provincial government and local social service agencies began working with the Addiction Research Foundation to address the risks of drinking and boating.

Armed with an ARF study showing impaired boating incidents in the region, gaps in awareness, and opportunities for action, the Kingston Area Safe and Sober Boating Coalition (KASSBC) launched a three-pronged strategy to raise community awareness.

First, the coalition distributed a simple "grab bag" filled with information regarding the safer operation of watercraft. Next, they used the media during National Safe Boating Week (1st week of June) to highlight their efforts and draw support from local bureaucrats and boat retailers.

The coalition then shifted its focus to enforcement. Statistics on boating incidents and enforcement deficits - bolstered by the group's high credibility and solid track record - convinced the local police to increase marine patrols by 50%.

Finally, KASSBC secured financial support for a Safe 'n Sober Boating Kit by expanding its community partnerships in the private sector. Over 1,250 kits full of educational material from the "grab bags," coupons provided by local businesses, boating giveaways and an evaluation form, were distributed by Kingston-area police service marine patrols.

By all accounts, the Kingston project was a success. Coalition members point to increased public awareness, expanded marine patrols, strengthened private-public sector partnerships and a decreased incidence of impaired operation of watercraft on local waterways as proof.

"The next step," says ARF program consultant Trevor Wereley, "is to build an environment that supports and promotes sober boating." Indeed, coalition members will soon be helping local marinas and cottage organizations to develop responsible alcohol service policies and practices. And their forecast if all goes well? Clear - and sober - sailing ahead.

For more info on the project, including local policy initiatives contact the ARF Kingston office, 613-546-4266. For stats on water-related deaths and injuries call the Royal Lifesaving Society 416-490-8844, or the Ontario Trauma Registry, 416-429-0464. For general info/resources on boating safety see Boating Safety: Useful Contacts section in this newsletter.

Boating Safety: Useful Contacts

Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Division
5700 Cancross Court
Mississauga, ON L5R 3E9
Tel: 905-890-1000 Fax: 905-890-1008
Web site: http://www.redcross.ca

Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Office of Boating Safety
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6
Tel: 1-800-267-6687 Fax: 613-996-8902
Web site: http://www.ncr.dfo.ca/

Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons
26 Golden Gate Court
Scarborough, ON M1P 3A5
Tel: 416-293-2438 Fax: 416-293-2445
Web site: http://www.cps-ecp.ca

The Life Saving Society of Canada
287 McArthur Avenue
Ottawa, ON K1L 6P3
Tel: 613-746-5694 Fax: 613-746-9929
Web site: http://www.lifesaving.ca

Ontario Marina Operators Association
4 Cataraqui Street, Suite 211
Kingston, ON K7K 1Z7
Tel: 613-547-6662 Fax: 613-547-6813
Web site: http://www.marinasontario.com

Ontario Provincial Police/Traffic & Marine Safety Bureau
777 Memorial Avenue, 3rd Floor
Orillia, ON L3V 7V3
Tel: 705-329-6120 Fax: 705-329-6123
Web site: http://www.gov.on.ca/opp/

Ontario Sailing Association
1185 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 702
North York, ON M3C 3C6
Tel: 416-426-7271 Fax: 416-426-7344
Web site: http://www.sailon.org

YMCA/YWCA
Check your local phone book

Sources: Ministry of Natural Resources Don't rock the boat: 10 tips on better boating safety. Toronto: Queen's Printer, 1989. Special thanks to Trevor Wereley for contributing Boating on the Rocks

Alcohol Policy Round Up

Chief Medical Officer of Health releases draft core program guidelines

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health released the second draft of the mandatory core program guidelines on May 20. The 51-page document outlines requirements for public health service delivery in three key areas: prevention of chronic disease and injuries, promotion of family health, and control of infectious disease. Included are a number of objectives and standards related to the prevention of alcohol and other drug problems, among them: to reduce the rate of alcohol and other substance-related injuries and deaths by 20% by the year 2010; and to support policies and provide education on responsible use/service to people of reproductive age, students, educators, drivers, community volunteers and the general public. Comments may be faxed to the Public Health Branch at 416-314-7078 by June 20. Meanwhile, responsibility for public health funding in the wake of the province's disentanglement exercise continues to be a topic of discussion among governments and public health advocates. For updates check out the Government of Ontario's web site, http://www.gov.on.ca, or Canada Newswire, http://www.newswire.ca.

Committee develops low-risk drinking guidelines

A committee chaired by U of T scientist, Dr. Mary Jane Ashley is set to unveil guidelines for low-risk drinking after a 2-year long assessment of the scientific evidence. According to ARF President Dr. Perry Kendall, a commonly accepted set of guidelines will bring some consistency to drinking-related public health messages, reinforce the low-risk drinking behaviour of the majority of the public, help people reduce their alcohol use to a level that safeguards their and others' health, safety and well-being, and support public policy aimed at reducing alcohol-related problems. A dissemination plan is currently being developed with the assistance of key addictions and public health agencies, including the Ontario Public Health Association. The guidelines will likely be made public sometime in the fall. For more info contact Dr. Nevin Coston, Fax: 416-595-6923, email: ncoston@arf.org .

Toronto Board of Health endorses licensing of u-brews/vints

On May 21, the City of Toronto Board of Health endorsed recommendations contained in a report calling for provincial regulation and licensing of some 348 u-brew/u-vint operations across the province. Recommendations for phased tax increases on u-brew beer and wine, and a levy on home-made wine and beer kits, and grape juice and grape juice concentrates were forwarded to a Board of Health subcommittee for further study. The recommendations and the report will be distributed to all boards of health across Ontario for consideration. For more info on alcohol taxes check out this month's hot issue on APOLNET. Also posted are background materials on u-brews/u-vints as well as info on recent efforts by the RCMP to crack down on illegal operations.

LCBO launches campaign to control underage drinking

On May 16, the LCBO launched its 6th annual B.Y.I.D. Campaign to promote awareness of the Challenge and Refusal and Check 25 programs. Both year-round initiatives require LCBO staff to request identification from customers who appear to be under 25 years of age, and to refuse service to underage or intoxicated individuals. Last year, the staff at the LCBO's 595 stores challenged some 560,000 potential customers - nearly twice as many as the previous year - and refused service to some 76,000 people. The increase in the number of challenges is the result of the new Check 25 program, as well as improved in-house training for staff on recognizing the signs of intoxication and dealing tactfully with difficult situations. Store managers and local staff are also available to visit local high schools prior to proms to discourage underage and "third party" purchasers. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ernie Eves announced in his 1997 Budget Speech that fines for activities such as sale of liquor to minors would be doubled with proceeds going to the Victims' Justice Fund. For more information on the LCBO's social responsibility initiatives contact Ian Campbell, 416-864-2431. For details on the fines for liquor sales to minors contact Clem Hill, Ministry of the Attorney General, 416-326-2113 or MCCR Minister David Tsubouchi's office, 416-326-8501.

LCBO not on government privatization list

On April 25, the provincial government unveiled its plans for privatizing government agencies, a key plank of the Common Sense Revolution. Notably absent was the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. Although officials will not rule out privatizing government liquor outlets at some time in the future, it is not on the "A" list, largely because of the LCBO's strong economic performance. In 1995-96, the agency contributed $863 million in profits and taxes to the general revenue fund - the province's single largest source of revenue. For a backgrounder on the privatization announcement, check out the Privatization Office web site at http://www.gov.on.ca/privitiz/. For more info on the LCBO visit its web site at http://www.lcbo.com.

Enforcement capacity of new liquor and gaming commission in question

The merger of the province's liquor and gaming regulators continues to raise questions about the enforcement capacity of the new Alcohol and Gaming Commission. On May 27 it was revealed that the commission would be firing 203 employees at the two agencies, including 35 liquor inspectors responsible for overseeing 16,000 establishments licensed to sell/serve liquor and 84,000 Special Occasion Permit events. (The Gaming Commission relies on up to 40 officers seconded from local police forces to enforce the law at 3 commercial casinos currently in operation and 44 charity casinos expected to be up and running by early next year.) According to Consumer and Commercial Relations spokesman Ab Campion, about 90-95% of employees will be rehired. He also expects additional enforcement jobs to be created to cope with the phased introduction of some 20,000 VLTs in charity clubs, racetracks and bars and restaurants across the province over the coming year. Liquor board union officials, however, remain skeptical. For more info contact Consumer and Commercial Relations, 416-326-8530.

N. York proposes booze bottle charge

On May 14, North York council voted to charge the LCBO and other beverage retailers 15 cents a bottle on all wine and spirits sold in the city. The fee, expected to bring in some $1.8 million annually, will cover the costs of picking up and disposing non-returnable liquor bottles through the city's blue box program. The Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations insists that the measure, enacted under Bill 26 provisions, is illegal. Mayor Lastman meanwhile criticizes the province for not sharing with municipalities the millions of dollars it collects annually in bottle levies and environmental fees. The North York legal department is drafting a by-law to be considered by Council on or before June 25. Metro Toronto has already indicated that it will consider a similar levy if the North York initiative stands up to court scrutiny. For more info contact Rosemary Caranci, North York City Clerk's Office, 416-395-7357.

Planning for ARF merger under way

Representatives from ARF, the Donwood Institute, Queen Street Mental Health and the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry met with government-appointed facilitators on April 13 to discuss their proposed merger. A plan is to be presented to the Health Restructuring Commission by July 31. See the next issue of APU for details.

Special Offer: Priorities/Drugs in Ontario

"Excellent resource ... comprehensive, thorough ... highlighted statistics and other info ... easily and quickly accessible."
- Priorities evaluation form

Active in the substance abuse field? Why not get a copy of APN's Priorities, developments in alcohol policy in Ontario? For a limited time only, those who order this new resource will receive a free copy of the Addiction Research Foundation's Drugs in Ontario. Both are ideal for use as:

Each set costs $20 (postage and handling included). To order, contact Ana Almeida at 416-367-3313, ext. 23 (1-800-267-6817).

News & Views

Conferences & Workshops

On June 19, 1997, Parkdale Community Watch and Ontario Neighbourhoods for Responsible Alcohol Sales and Service (ON-RASS) will host a 2 hour session on how communities can use the media to resolve problems, improve their image and further their policy goals. The event was rescheduled after keynote speaker Robert Reynolds of the US National Centre for the Advancement of Prevention had a medical emergency in March. Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan Avenue (off Queen Street West), 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Free. For more info call Susan D'Oliveira, 416-588-3985.

Peel Regional Police will be offering free seminars for parents on ways to predict, detect and deal with teens who may be using/abusing alcohol and other drugs. The seminars will be held at the Peel Police Queen Street Community Station, 148 Queen Street East, Brampton on June 18 and June 25, 1997, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. For further info or to reserve a seat call Leslie Bettencourt, 905-456-0512.

The Alcohol Policy Network and the Association to Reduce Alcohol Promotion in Ontario will be hosting an introductory workshop on alcohol policy on July 28, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at North York City Hall. Free. For more info or to register call Paula Neves, 416-367-3313 ext. 27.

Public Education Campaigns

FAS/FAE Prevention and Support Services at the Patricia Centre for Children and Youth is leading a campaign to encourage broadcasters to produce educational messages on the harmful consequences of drinking during pregnancy. For more info contact Judy Kay, (807) 737-1175. E-mail: fas/fae@web.net.

Useful Resources

The 1995 Ontario Road Safety Annual Report is now available. Free. English and French. To order contact the Safety Research Office, Ministry of Transportation, 1-800-668-9938; in Toronto: 416-235-3473.

Summary Report and Recommendations Regarding Working Committee Examining "Booze Cans" presented to the Metro Toronto Police Services Board on April 28 is now available. For a free copy call Metropolitan Toronto Police, 416-808-2222.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse recently released its International Guidelines for Estimating the Costs of Substance Abuse. To order a copy call 613-235-4048 or visit CCSA's web site at http://www.ccsa.ca.

The Canadian AIDS Foundation is developing the various resources to accompany the 1997-98 National AIDS Awareness Week, September 29 to October 5, 1997. The campaign is designed to increase awareness of the high rate of HIV transmission, new and emerging populations affected by the epidemic, cutbacks in funding and treatment issues. Materials cover a wide range of areas including the links between HIV/AIDS and alcohol and other drugs. Bilingual. Free. For more info call 1-800-499-1986 or fax 613-725-3434.

A coalition of agencies has produced a 30 second television public service announcement on the use of alcohol and "nerve pills" by seniors. The video, produced in English and French with financial assistance from Rogers Cable Systems, will be broadcast in Ottawa-Carleton over the next few months. To get a copy or to enquire about how the video can be modified for broadcast in your area call Michael McCulloch, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator, Ottawa-Carleton Health Department, 613-724-4212. For info on grants in your area, please contact your Rogers community access station.