Our values around alcohol

On November 5^th, I had the privilege of listening to Ann Dowsett Johnston speak about alcohol and the current culture surrounding it.  Ann challenged a total of 85 community members, leaders and decision makers at 2 community forums to think about what our values around alcohol are.  Her presentations provided a springboard for beginning a conversation about how to create a healthier and safer community - one where alcohol related harm is minimized, and where alcohol is only a part of our good times. 

Ann believes that our values are “fuzzy”.  Many of us use alcohol as a reward, and often to relax and to celebrate.  But what we don’t often talk about is the fact that we also use it to numb and to forget our problems. She pointed out that “...we know a lot about trans fats and tanning beds, but we know very little about the health implications of our favourite drug”.  Ann also described how the media and marketing have contributed to a heavier drinking culture, and how the aggressive marketing of ‘alcopops’ by the spirits industry has contributed to an increase in alcohol consumption by women.  Women are fast approaching the consumption patterns of men.  

When weighing the costs and benefits of alcohol policies, local decision makers require factual and balanced information.  The research is clear in this area, and the Alcohol Report outlines a number of policy interventions that are effective in reducing consumption and related harm in communities.  So where do we go from here?  Next steps will be sharing this information more broadly to ensure we continue the conversation and foster further public dialogue on alcohol in the City of Kingston.