Alcohol Risk Management Policies

Alcohol has been around since ancient times. In Ontario, the first restriction of alcohol sales appeared in 1648. A detailed summary up to 1995 can be found in Facts on Alcohol Policy in Ontario by the Addiction Research Foundation (ARF) (now known as Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, or CAMH).

Types of alcohol risk management policies:

• municipal alcohol policy
• workplace policy
• school policy

Consultation assistance is available by calling the injury prevention program at (519)376-9420

The Five W's of Municipal Alcohol Management

1. Why have a policy:

• to provide guidelines for alcohol use in municipal buildings, and grounds
• to decrease the risk of alcohol related problems which could result in lawsuits
• to make the community a safer place

2. Who is involved:

• municipal staff
• volunteers
• rental groups
• general public
• police
• ARF/Health Unit

3. What is an alcohol risk management policy:

• a strategy to help people understand and reduce alcohol related risks

4. Where are the places that are affected:

• any municipally owned facilities, buildings, or grounds
• the policy will state which municipal facilities are included or not
• parks
• campgrounds on municipal land
• libraries
• town halls
• firehalls
• arenas
• fair grounds
• part or all of a building, or grounds

5. When do people have a say about the policy:

• you could represent the community at large or a user group during policy development
• public meetings are held during the planning process
• written comments are accepted on the draft before it is approved by council
• the policy should be reviewed on an annual basis. Suggestions for change can be made at that time.