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Issue #10 December 2013 |
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In this edition:
Tena koutou Ask someone on the street what’s causing
alcohol-related harm and they will most likely say “young people and binge
drinking”. This issue is splashed across our headlines and screens almost
daily. Yet binge drinking is not the only problem, and young people are far
from being the only victims or perpetrators of alcohol-related harms. Many of
us are drinking at dangerous levels without realising the damage it’s causing
or how it contributes to our drinking culture. Regular drinking plays a major role in heart
disease, acquired brain damage, liver cirrhosis and cancer. Alcohol is
implicated in over 60 separate diseases. Alcohol advertising never mentions that
and many of us don’t think about it. Alcohol companies like us to drink
constantly, but they aren’t around to pick up the tab for the cost to many
people’s health or the hidden costs to us all of a boozy culture. Part of the answer lies in the policy changes
such as minimum alcohol pricing, stronger controls on marketing and reducing
late night trading hours, but something else is needed. What about us? Are we
partly responsible for the mess? Ghandi said if we want a better world we
should change ourselves first. We
should act as though the world has already changed in the way we want. Is alcohol always on our table? Is it part of
every celebration? Do we accidently drink too much because someone kept
topping up our glass? Perhaps it’s time to stop and think what role it plays
in our lives? Whether we want to or not, we have to cut back the amount that
we drink. One in five Kiwis drinks at a level that puts them at risk of harm
over their lifetime. That person could be ourselves, but if it’s not us, chances
are it’s one of our close friends, or family members. December is party season in New Zealand when
drinking too much it not only accepted, it’s encouraged for all ages. How
might you model responsible drinking this season to your whanau and friends?
Check out some of the ideas below and be
the change. Ngā mihi o te wā me te Tau Hou, Dave Hookway Health Promotion Advisor - Alcohol and other Drugs – Northland DHB |
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In this
Issue:
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Don't be a Cool Dad...
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Northland DHB takes a stand on alcohol harms
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YEAH
I’m up for a good night out but NAH I don’t want to drink anymore
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From the lips to the hips – alcohol-fuelled calories!!
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Low-risk drinking guidelines
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Tips for partying safely
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Whanau Pack new 3rd edition
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NEW free parenting
posters available
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Improving children’s health outcomes
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New research to support Local Alcohol Policies released
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Australasian FASD Conference ‘Call to Action’
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Need more help?
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Don't be a Cool Dad...
The Health Promotion Agency has
launched a new campaign to promote a better understanding of the new
legislation around the provision of alcohol to minors. The
creative style of the campaign is fun and entertaining directly engaging with
audiences. The campaign uses humour to raise awareness Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, from the 18th December it will be illegal to supply alcohol to someone under the age of 18 unless you are their parent or legal guardian or you have express consent from their parent or legal guardian. You’re also required by law to supply any alcohol in a responsible manner. Express consent from a parent or legal guardian might come in the form of a personal conversation, an email or a text message. As the supplier of the alcohol, you will also need to have good reason to believe that the express consent you’ve been given is genuine. Further information for parents – click here.
Further information for young adults – click here. View the new section of the law here and the entire new Act here. |
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Northland DHB takes a stand on
alcohol harms
Northland
District Health Board is committed to taking a lead role in reducing
alcohol-related harm in our community and at a recent meeting, the Board “The Board are also committed to the collection and reporting of
high quality alcohol-related health data”, added Dr Chamberlain. “Since August 2011, the Whangarei Emergency
Department started proactively screening patients presenting with injuries
for alcohol consumption prior to their injury. In 2012, the data revealed
that one in five of screened injury patients had consumed alcohol prior to
their injury. Nearly a third of alcohol-related injuries were head injuries
followed by injuries to the wrist and hand. Costs attributed to these
injuries were in excess of $900,000”. Given Northland’s demographics, and local data on alcohol harm,
excessive consumption of alcohol is clearly a major “modifiable risk factor”
that significantly affects the health and wellbeing of the Northland
community. The position statement on alcohol harm also supports the
development of Local Alcohol Plans by Councils in Northland and opportunities
to reduce the accessibility and availability of alcohol. Read the full
position statement here. |
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YEAH I’m up for a good night out
but NAH I don’t want to drink anymore
Northland DHB Emergency Departments have partnered with the Health
Promotion Agency promoting the ‘Yeah, Nah’ message: ‘YEAH I’m up for a good night out but NAH I
don’t want to drink anymore’. Kaitaia and Whangarei staff will be wearing
‘Want to say NAH more often’ T-shirts’ on Friday and Saturday nights
throughout summer, providing patients and their families with alcohol
information packs and offering support from the Alcohol Drug Helpline. The ED staff are urging people to think
about their drinking and the consequence of not drinking responsibly. “We
want to spread the message - ‘yeah have a good time but Nah you don’t want to
end up in the Emergency Department”, said Margaret Dreadon, Nurse Manager, Whangarei Hospital Emergency Department. “It is difficult
to see the pain in patient’s families when their loved ones are injured due
to a preventable cause. The Emergency Department is really pleased to be part
of this programme to empower patients, friends and families to say ‘Nah, too much alcohol will hurt us’.
We want the public to have a safe and happy holiday without the need to visit
us!” Whangarei Emergency Department treated
approximately 60 alcohol-related presentations a month over the peak of last
summer. Presentations ranged from extensive injuries from motor vehicle
crashes, facial and wrist damage from assaults and minor fractures from
falls. “It’s sad when we have young
people in the emergency department and we are trying to offer them help and
we look over and the parents are drunk as well”, said Shelley Hita, Emergency
Department Nurse, Kaitaia Hospital.
“It’s about the families drinking culture and the messages they are
sending to their kids”.
LEFT : -Kaitaia ED staff Back
Row: Cres Bao-os, Donna Stanisich, Deborah Hopkins Front
Row: Fay Tomlin, Robyn Tepania,
Shelly Hita RIGHT: - Whangarei
ED staff Left
to right – Sue Stebbeings,
Erica Roos, Margaret Dreadon, Raewyn
Walker, Juliet Hollis, Jill Mortimer, Kath Erai, Lisa Clement, Wendy Wells, Jo Hunter Read more about the initiative here. |
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From the lips to the hips –
alcohol-fuelled calories!!
Christmas is a
time for celebration and for some, overindulgence in food and
alcohol can be common at this time of year. Many people mistakenly
believe that alcohol does not have any calories. In fact, with 7 calories per
gram, the number of calories in alcohol is second only after fat (9 Cal/g).
Calories from alcohol are 'empty calories', they have no nutritional value.
Most alcoholic drinks contain traces of vitamins and minerals, but not
usually in amounts that make any significant contribution to our diet.
Mixers, juices and sweet syrups just add extra calories.
Drinking alcohol
also reduces the amount of fat your body burns for energy. While we can store
nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, and fat in our bodies, we can't store
alcohol. So our systems want to get rid of it, and doing so takes priority.
All of the other processes that should be taking place (including absorbing
nutrients and burning fat) are interrupted. By cutting back
on the amount you drink, it can significantly help to reduce your calorie
intake. Another way to drink fewer calories is to opt for a low calorie mixer
such as a diet coke or soda. Drinking water or low calorie soft drinks
between alcoholic drinks is not only a good way to reduce your calorie intake
but also helps to reduce the amount of units you’re drinking. Check out the chart below to see the effects of some common alcoholic beverages – or try this online calorie counter to see how long you might have to walk for- just to burn off your favourite tipple.
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Low-risk drinking guidelines
Low risk
drinking guidelines reflect the harms that might arise from single drinking
occasions (where there is a risk of injury to self or others) and from the
long term health consequences of regular drinking (such as increased risk of
cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease and addiction
problems)*. Current low risk drinking guidelines
advise: For young people:
For adults: ·
2
standard drinks a day for women and no more than 10 standard drinks a week. ·
3
standard drinks a day for men and no more than 15 standard drinks a week. AND… at least two alcohol-free
days every week. Reducing your
drinking
·
Stay
busy. Don’t just sit and drink. Dancing, playing music or games can take the
focus away from drinking. *Did you know? - “Drinking as little as one pint of beer every day increases
your risk of liver cancer and bowel cancer by about a fifth”. |
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Tips for partying safely
When getting together
with friends or work colleagues, it is important to take steps to ensure that
everyone stays safe. Whether you are a host or a guest, you have rights and
responsibilities around alcohol and other drugs.
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Plan in advance how you are going to get home, and be prepared to change
the plan if a designated driver is intoxicated.
The Health Promotion Agency’s Party Host
Guide has been designed to provide some easy
advice and great ideas for being a good host. |
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Whanau Pack new 3rd edition
Project leader Dave Hookway says “We’ve been overwhelmed with
requests for copies of the Whanau Pack and so were able to offer other
organisations throughout the country the opportunity to obtain their own
copies through the benefit of the larger print run. We are also able to supply free
copies to health and community organisations based in Tai Tokerau.” The new 3rd edition updates information around the supply
of alcohol to minors as reflected by the new law changes which come into
effect on the 18th December and addresses some of the feedback
received in response to the earlier two editions. Download an electronic copy by
clicking on the link or the picture above. If you
would like to order free copies of the Whanau Pack, click here (don’t forget to include your
name, postal address and the number of booklets you would like). |
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NEW free
Tai Tokerau parenting posters available
Two new posters have been printed to complement the Whanau Pack.
Both feature key messages promoted in the Whanau Pack and are available free
upon request. Please click here
if you would like to order some copies.
The new
posters form part of a set with the two posters below – which were released
earlier this year. Limited stock is still available of these as well, and
they too can be ordered here.
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Improving children’s health outcomes
Among the 130 detailed
recommendations in the “Inquiry into improving child health outcomes and
preventing child abuse with a focus from pre-conception to three years of age.”
report, eight specifically called for urgent action around
alcohol-related harm. These included: The
formulation of evidence-based
guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumption, to be promoted widely, with
particular emphasis on alcohol cessation during pregnancy and pre-conception; ·
A
DHB target to see at least 90 per cent of all pregnant women booked in for
antenatal assessment by 10 weeks gestation; ·
Increased screening for alcohol misuse, and
follow-up intervention in all Emergency Departments, all initial antenatal
assessments, and for primary care/general practise settings; ·
Unequivocal health warnings that include, at
minimum, “alcohol causes brain damage to the unborn child”; ·
Introducing a minimum price regime for alcohol
beverages, focusing on the cheapest products available; and ·
Raising the alcohol excise tax, in a strategic
manner to minimise harm. Click on the
link highlighted above to access the full report. |
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New research to support Local Alcohol Policies released
Dr Michael Cameron discussed
the relationship between alcohol outlet density and measures of
alcohol-related harm. (“The Locally Specific Impacts of Alcohol Outlet Density in
the North Island of New Zealand 2006-2011”). Associate Professor Peter Miller showcased
two major Australian studies – DANTE (“Dealing with Alcohol-related harm and the Night-Time
Economy”) and POINTED
(“Patron Offending and Intoxication in Night-Time
Entertainment Districts”). Click on any of the highlighted links to access full copies of the
reports. |
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Need more help? If you are
concerned about your own drinking or that of someone close to you, contact
the free Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800-787-797 from 10am to 10pm or
visit www.addictionshelp.org.nz.
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Compiled and produced by: Dave Hookway - Health Promotion Advisor - Alcohol and other Drugs Northland District Health Board - 55 Hobson Ave, Kerikeri Postal address: - PO Box 906, Kerikeri 0230, Bay of Islands
( Ph (09) 430-4101 x 7895 | Mob 021-221-4027 or Freephone 0800-537-4342 option #3 Click here to email Thanks to the Australian Drug Foundation
for some source |
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A new 
