Helping reduce harm from alcohol

Community and Public Health holds a number of important roles relating to the prevention of alcohol-related harm in our region. These include health promotion, regulation and licensing, and local policy development.

There are a wide range of effects on communities from alcohol-related harm. Alcohol-related harm contributes to health conditions, injuries and social problems – costing the health sector and other sectors significant time, money and resources.

Work by Community and Public Health with premises selling alcohol includes:

  • Bottles of wine on shelves in a bottle-store.Ensuring premised selling or wanting to sell alcohol meet licensing requirements. This includes investigating and reporting on applications on behalf of the Medical Officer of Health.
  • Collaborating with other agencies to ensure regular monitoring of high risk licensed premises.
  • Encouraging the responsible sale, use and promotion of alcohol in premises.
  • Supporting the liquor industry to be compliant with legislation through appropriate procedures and regular training and appraisal.

Reducing alcohol-related harm in the community

The South Island District Health Boards agreed a joint position statement in 2012 that calls for the development of a strategy to reduce the impact of alcohol-related harm, alongside supporting Local Alcohol Policies (LAPs). This statement advocates for evidence-based solutions.

Community and Public Health are currently working closely with partners to develop the strategy to reduce the impact of alcohol-related harm on the Canterbury health system. The draft strategy is being championed by Healthy Christchurch and will be completed in mid-2017.

The strategy will align to collaborative work between the Canterbury DHB, Christchurch City Council and Police to reduce alcohol-related harm across sectors, and will be known as the City Alcohol Action Plan.

Community-based alcohol-related work includes:

  • Supporting community awareness of local alcohol license applications and options to get involved.
  • Informing the public about the effects of alcohol use and misuse including delivering targeted programmes for at risk groups.
  • Promoting host responsibility and alcohol-related programmes in workplaces.
  • Supporting supply control and reduction initiatives such as the Good One Party Register for youth.
  • Collaboratively with other agencies to promote strategies and procedures to reduce alcohol-related harm.
  • Ensuring that key law and policy makers have appropriate information to consider when making decisions.

Find out how you can take action on alcohol in your community, such as

  • complaining about an alcohol advertisement;
  • monitoring alcohol promotions in your community; and
  • influencing your local alcohol policy.

Even one drink could push you over the limit

Emergency Department clinical director Scott Pearson.Had a casual drink or one after work and wondering if you’re still okay to drive home? You shouldn’t be driving if you have to think about it!

Christchurch City Council Transport Operations Manager Steffan Thomas said most people now planned ahead and used taxis or sober drivers for their planned nights out. But casual drinkers may get caught thinking one or two drinks still leaves them safe to drive.

“People need to make safe travel plans before they take the first sip of their drink. Plans made during or after drinking are likely to lack good judgement and people may fall into the trap of thinking they are probably okay to drive.” Mr Thomas said.

Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department Clinical Director Scott Pearson sees many alcohol-related injuries. Dr Pearson said people needed to be aware of the potential consequences of their decisions. “If you think you’re bullet proof and can handle the effects, then think about the other people out there on the road and how your actions might impact on them.”

Find out more on the Christchurch City Council’s Drink Driving campaign.

Documents

Impacts of and Attitudes towards Alcohol

Alcohol Controls in the Community

Downloads

Download or order alcohol resources from the Community Health Information Centre.

Links

Contact your local CPH office for further information:

CANTERBURY
Ph: +64 3 364 1777
Fax: +64 3 379 6125

SOUTH CANTERBURY
Ph: +64 3 687 2600
Fax: +64 3 688 6091

WEST COAST
Ph: +64 3 768 1160
Fax: +64 3 768 1169

For additional information, contact:

Alcohol and Drug Helpline
0800 787 797 (10am -10pm)

Alcohol and Drug Youth Helpline
0800 787 984 (10am -10pm)
Text adh to 234

CANTERBURY
Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS – CDHB)
Ph: +64 3 335 4350

MID CANTERBURY
Ashburton Community Alcohol and Drug Service (ACADS)
Ph: +64 3 308 1270

SOUTH CANTERBURY
Alcohol and Other Drug Service (SCDHB)
Ph: +64 3 687 2188

WEST COAST
Rata Alcohol and Drug Services – Adult (WCDHB)
Ph: +64 3 788 9234 in Buller
Ph: +64 3 769 7805 in Greymouth
Ph: +64 3 756 9700 in Hokitika

Youth Alcohol and Drug Service (CAMHS – WCDHB)
Ph: +64 3 769 7670

If you’re having a party, have a Good One!

The “Good One” campaign is a Canterbury party register designed for use by students. You can find out how to be a responsible party host and register your party with the Police.

The project aims to reduce alcohol related incidents and harm, increase access and distribution of information to enable people to self-manage parties, and reduce disorderly behaviour.

The Canterbury DHB has developed this initiative alongside ACC, NZ Police, the Health Promotion Agency, the University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, LUSA and the UCSA.

Christchurch's party register. Make yours a

South Island DHBs Position Statement on Alcohol

All the South Island District Health Boards have agreed on a joint position statement on Alcohol.

This means having a strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm within the region, and supporting councils to develop local alcohol plans (LAPs) that address alcohol-related harm.

Page last updated: 11/07/2017

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