Lessening alcohol harm
Social media campaigns, working with employers, and persistence in challenging the alcohol industry were all ideas expressed when key organisations met to discuss ways to reduce alcohol-related harm in Taranaki.
National Addiction Centre director Doug Sellman accompanied the University of Otago’s professor Jennie Connor on a visit to New Plymouth to speak about the link between alcohol consumption and cancer.
While here the pair met with representatives from many organisations including Positive Aging, Alcohol Action, New Plymouth Injury Safe, New Plymouth District Council, and the Taranaki District Health Board.
Talking Point psychologist Matthew Manderson was surprised at the volumes people drink. ‘‘There’s a huge educational component that I think needs to be looked at,’’ he said.
‘‘We are shocked that people who are regularly drinking have no idea the quantities that they are [drinking] yet they go about it every day. It’s almost like they need a licence to drive and a licence to drink.’’
He is worried about employers supplying alcohol at work. ‘‘Some employers are letting their staff drink more than they should and letting them drive home. I think there’s work to be done with employers around what are your responsibilities and how do you look after your staff.’’
Sue Pickering, from Alcohol Action Taranaki, spoke about the power of social media to put pressure on the alcohol industry. ‘‘Millions and millions of people can be drawn into acting if it’s a unified body that’s able to focus that action.’’
Earlier this year the New Plymouth District Council adopted a local alcohol policy where supermarkets and other offlicense premises are only allowed to sell alcohol between 7am and 9.30pm.
This change was in part due to the efforts of strong advocates like Teresa Gordon from New Plymouth Injury Safe. South Taranaki District Council has not yet settled on a local alcohol policy, she said. ‘‘We’ve got the chance to take all our learnings from New Plymouth and Stratford and apply them in South Taranaki.’’
Connor told the group that it’s good to keep pushing for change, particularly at a local level. ‘‘We’re not going to change the trans-nationals from here but we can change the behaviours of the community,’’ she said.
Matthew Manderson