 Alcohol Action New Zealand
Professor Doug Sellman, Director of the National Addiction Centre at the University of Otago, Christchurch, is to give a national series of lectures on what the alcohol industry won't tell us about alcohol. Alcohol Action New Zealand is a campaign in response to a national alcohol crisis that is reflected in various crime and health statistics related to heavy drinking. The total social cost of harmful drinking has been recently estimated to be $5.3 billion per year. The campaign is focused around a set of evidence-based solutions, based on the seminal WHO sponsored publication Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity (Babor, Caetano, Casswell et al 2003). These solutions are collectively being referred to as the 5+ Solution and are general policy directives. 1. Increase the price of alcohol 2. Increase the purchase age of alcohol 3. Decrease accessibility of alcohol 4. Decrease marketing and advertising of alcohol 5. Increase drink-driving measures PLUS: Increase treatment opportunities for heavy drinkers The first goal of the campaign is to set up a national network as a vehicle to encourage as many New Zealanders as possible to express support for the upcoming recommendations of the Law Commission's Public Consultation Document that are compatible with the 5+ Solution. The official launch of Alcohol Action New Zealand will be at the Cutting Edge Conference in Wellington on September 10, and will then proceed through a national lecture series that the University of Otago is supporting as Professor Sellman's sabbatical leave (September - November). For details and more information about the campaign email: contact@alcoholaction.co.nz The website www.alcoholaction.co.nz is now up and running. Doug Sellman: doug.sellman@otago.ac.nz For more information see: |
