News Feature                             For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                      April 12, 2010

The Culture and Impact of Alcohol Use in Grey and Bruce

"We've demonized the illicit drugs -- like heroin, cocaine and cannabis -- but we enforce the message everyday, in every way, that alcohol is benign and that myth takes a devastating toll. The mythology we've created around alcohol is that it's okay to get blitzed out of your mind as long as you're not driving.” - Robert Solomon, lawyer, Professor Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario.

Alcohol is a “hidden hazard”, meaning there are strong psychological, social, economic or cultural pressures to conceal or downplay how alcohol use can be hazardous. Progress has been made in the understanding of the harmful effects of alcohol and yet its abuse, through binge drinking (five or more drinks on one occasion at least once per month), continues to increase in Grey and Bruce. Eighty-five percent of adults are current drinkers and the rates of binge drinking have almost doubled to 34% in 2007 from 18% in 2001. This is significantly higher than both Canada and Ontario averages.

The increasing frequency and quantity consumed per occasion of drinking is leading to harmful consequences including health and social effects, physical injury as well as having an impact on youth. Alcohol is the third leading risk factor contributing to illness, behind high blood pressure and tobacco use. Research indicates the greater costs and burdens come from regular moderate drinkers who occasionally binge-drink. 

Youth and young adults learn about drinking (how, where and why) from older adults. By the time teens reach the age of 15 their experience, role models and environment have already formed many of their ideas, attitudes and expectations regarding alcohol. Many teens lack the basic knowledge to make informed decisions about their use of alcohol. Creating a culture of moderation begins with older adults who fashion the templates for the attitudes and practices of the younger generation.

"People living in Grey and Bruce Counties seem to have forgotten this was once a frontier as wild and rootin' as any. We were on the leading edge of all the alcohol issues then; maybe we have a hangover.” says Ross Kentner, presenter at The Culture and Impact of Alcohol Use in Grey and Bruce forum.

Alcohol is no ordinary commodity. Used in moderation, alcohol can give pleasure. However, when used irresponsibly, alcohol can be a dangerous drug that can result in a variety of health and social harms.

How can Grey and Bruce counties find a balance in the use of alcohol and prevent risk-related harms? The Culture and Impact of Alcohol Use in Grey and Bruce, a forum discussing these issues, takes place on Thursday, April 22, 2010, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm at the Stone Tree Golf & Fitness Club in Owen Sound. Anyone interested in attending is asked to RSVP by April 21, 2010 to the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 519-376-9420, ext. 1405.

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For more information:

Pat Sanagan
Health Promotion Consultant
519-797-1489
p.sanagan@bmts.com