Response to alcohol problem

Health

Written by John McNeil Friday, 16 October 2009 13:02

visionnetwork supports the work of Alcohol Action NZ, a lobby group bringing together churches, schools, health and medical services, social services, police, councils, iwi, and others concerned about the social and medical costs of excessive alcohol consumption in New Zealand.

Geoffrey-Palmer The organisation is lobbying for tighter controls, in response to a discussion paper - Alcohol in our Lives - produced by the Law Commission, which recently reviewed the Sale of Liquor Act. Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer (right) said it was time to "curb the harm" alcohol caused, a view supported by judges, medical specialists and police. Click here to read the Law Commission's Commission's issue paper.

Alcohol Action NZ says the excessive presence of alcohol and its misuse is inflicting enormous social, medical and personal damage on our society. Its website (http://www.alcoholaction.co.nz) notes:
• At least 25% of New Zealand drinkers are heavy drinkers
• A third of all police apprehensions involve alcohol
• Half of serious violent crimes are related to alcohol
• 60 different medical conditions are caused by heavy drinking
• Up to 75% of adult presentations at hospital emergency departments on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are alcohol-related
• There are over 500 serious and fatal injury traffic crashes every year
• At least 600 children are born each year with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• There are over 1000 alcohol deaths in New Zealand every year

Doug Sellman, Professor of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine at the University of Otago, Christchurch, is conducting a series of public meetings around the country titled "Ten things the liquor industry won't tell you about alcohol". His itinerary can be seen here.

The Government response to the Law Commission report has generally been supportive and indicates a desire for change. But visionnetwork National Director Glyn Carpenter says this comes only after a lengthy period of political indecision.

"It's ironic that parliament can be so decisive over something like the recent section 59 issue in the face of polls saying 80-90 per cent of Kiwis don't want that legislation, but can't act decisively on reining in alcohol, when a similar percentage of New Zealanders do," he said.

One missing element in the debate so far is the spiritual vacuum that lies behind much of the binge-drinking culture among young people. "The neglect of a focus on spiritual life is also a major factor - perhaps THE key factor - driving misuse of alcohol," he said.

"Christianity has become a taboo subject, particularly in schools. This is leaving our children ignorant of the founding basis of our democracy and culture and, more important, without a foundation for values."