Ontario ignoring other drug problem
Alcohol takes human, financial toll, say Pegeen Walsh and Cathy Edwards.
The opioid crisis and the legalization of cannabis are major public health issues and we commend government actions and plans to address them. However, Ontario’s other major drug problem, alcohol, is being overlooked. This drug is more widely used and marketed to ensure greater access, convenience and choice. We need to put the cork back in the bottle.
Increasing “convenience and choice” has been one of the Ontario government’s most popular measures. Over the last 10 years, the goal of “modernizing ” alcohol sales in the province has increased alcohol availability by 22 per cent.
We have seen 300 of the promised 450 grocery store outlets licensed to sell wine, beer and cider. When all is said and done, alcohol availability will have increased almost 30 per cent.
On-site brewery stores have tripled since 2013, wine and cider at farmers’ markets are flourishing and the LCBO’s online sales platform makes it easier than ever to get what you want, when you want it. But despite how popular the modernization of alcohol sales has been, research shows that promoting and making alcohol more available means people will drink more, leading to an increase in alcohol-related harm.
While most Ontario adults drink at a safe level, about one-quarter engage in high-risk drinking and nearly one-in-10 of those report binge drinking every week. Although government revenue from alcohol sales continues to increase, the costs also continue, with more than $5 billion spent yearly in Ontario on alcohol-related health care, law enforcement and other related costs.
A Canadian Institute for Health Information report revealed that more people are hospitalized for alcohol each year than for heart attacks. There are 212 Canadians hospitalized daily for conditions such as alcohol poisoning, alcohol dependence, and alcoholic liver disease; 66 each day in Ontario. Alcohol is a leading risk factor for chronic disease, death and disability. It also plays a significant role in social disorder, injuries, violence and crime.
Why is there a lack of urgency on the significant human and financial toll of alcohol? Compared to provincial plans for legal cannabis, including governmentrun outlets only and restricted branding and marketing, we may face a situation where alcohol, the drug posing the greater risk, will have the least restrictions and the greatest access.
While many in the public health and voluntary sector are working to minimize alcohol consumption and harm, it seems that the government’s modernization efforts are creating an environment that normalizes and encourages consumption through marketing and increased access.
A provincially funded, comprehensive strategy that lays out a clear plan could go a long way to creating a healthier alcohol culture. Such a strategy could support education and awareness to change attitudes and social norms around consumption; strengthen policy measures proven to minimize harm; and create a better monitoring system to track alcoholrelated harms.
A healthy alcohol culture is possible. It has been two years since the government first announced its intention to create an alcohol strategy. The time for action is now.