News Feature                                                          For Immediate Release

                                                                                                              July 23, 2008

Binge Drinking on the Rise in Grey Bruce

Alcohol abuse through binge drinking is spiraling out of control in Grey Bruce. Thirty-four per cent of people in our area, over the age of 12 who drink alcohol, report engaging in binge drinking. That is 12 per cent higher than both the Canada and Ontario averages. The latest figures come from the June 2008, Canadian Community Health Survey. The survey monitors a range of health indicators including alcohol and tobacco use.

Alcohol is the most popular drug in Grey Bruce and its abuse is on the rise. The percentage of people engaging in binge drinking in Grey Bruce has nearly doubled to 34 per cent in 2007 from 18 per cent in 2001.

Excessive alcohol use can affect people on an individual health level as well as having negative social effects, including strained relationships with employers, friends and family. Alcohol is the third leading risk factor contributing to illness, following high blood pressure and tobacco use. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risks for stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease and increases the risk of breast cancer in women, of colorectal cancer in men and of liver cancer in both sexes. Drinking during pregnancy is especially dangerous as it may cause permanent brain damage and other defects in the fetus - a condition known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Spectrum Disorder.

The Low-Risk Drinking Guidelines apply to persons of legal drinking age (19 years and older in Ontario). They are a guide to help reduce the risk for alcohol-related injuries and diseases. 

• 0 : Zero drinks = lowest risk of an alcohol-related problem
• 2 : No more than 2 standard drinks on any one day
• 9 : Women: up to 9 standard drinks in a 7 day period
• 14 : Men: up to 14 standard drinks in a 7 day period

One Standard Drink =13.6 g of alcohol.

Young people are especially at risk. They are affected by their own alcohol consumption and are vulnerable to the effects of the consumption of alcohol by others, especially their parents and role models. Parents who drink alcohol are less credible with their teenagers when they try to impose alcohol rules and restrictions. Parents who drink excessively also show the greatest negative influence on their youth’s drinking habits. 

“Binge drinking is an increasing problem in Grey Bruce. It is costly to society and it’s bad for our health.” says Dr. Hazel Lynn, Medical Officer of Health for Grey Bruce. “Our goal is to reverse this trend. The Health Unit can provide information and resources for people interested in changing their drinking behaviours. Speak to your health care provider or call the Health Unit.”

Health professionals should do a brief screening with their patients to identify alcohol consumption as a possible risk. The community also needs to take action to reduce excessive alcohol consumption.

"If adults that drink alcohol can begin to assess the amount and their patterns of drinking, we hope there will be a change in the culture of drinking in Grey Bruce and also a reduction in the burden of disease.” says Marie Barclay, Public Health Nurse and Grey Bruce FOCUS coordinator. The goal of the FOCUS Community Program is to prevent problems, including injuries and chronic disease, associated with alcohol and other drug use.

For further information on FOCUS or other community programs, please call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Attachments:  Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking Chart

For more information:

Matthew Myatt

Associate Epidemiologist

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 269