 Update 1
19/05/09
Dear Colleague Things have become sufficiently organised now to begin writing a series of short progress notes on the upcoming national alcohol campaign. The working title to the campaign is the "Liquor Control Campaign". Liquor is alcohol with an edge and Control implies (appropriately) that the current situation is out of control. The recent BERL estimate (Slack et al 2009) of $5.3 billion of social costs from alcohol per year gives some shape to the enormous drag on the New Zealand economy that alcohol causes. The campaign is focused around a set of evidence-based solutions based on the seminal WHO sponsored publication "Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity" (Babor, Caetano, Casswell et al 2003). These solutions are collectively being referred to as the "5+ Solution": 1. Increase the price 2. Increase the purchase age 3. Decrease the accessibility 4. Decrease the marketing/advertising 5. Increase drink-driving surveillance PLUS Increase intervention opportunities for regular heavy drinkers The first goal of the campaign is to set up a national network as a vehicle to encourage as many New Zealanders as possible to express support for the upcoming recommendations of the Law Commission's Public Consultation Document that are compatible with the 5+Solution. The campaign will be formally launched through a national lecture series that the University of Otago is supporting as part of my sabbatical leave (Sept-Nov). The lecture will be delivered in about 30 different towns and cities in New Zealand and is titled "10 things the alcohol industry won't tell you about alcohol". We are busily contacting all the Mayors of these towns and cities from Invercargill to Kaitaia and working on venues etc. The response so far has been very encouraging. I will attach the most up to date itinerary to the next progress note. If you know of anyone who would like to be part of this email group of people interested in this national alcohol campaign please send me their email addresses and I'll add them to the list. Any advice/information/feedback/offer of resources (time/money) is very welcome. I will outline budget details next time. Thanks for the support Sincerely Doug |
