www.alkoholpolitik.ch

We take a look at the drink licensing system in Cardiff, a city with one of the worst binge‐drinking
reputations in the UK. There are also reports on the thinking behind alcohol advertising and the use of drink as a precursor and symptom of sex exploitation. Finally, we return to Wales, but this time in 1970s, when the area was home to the world’s biggest LSD factory. Druglink Magazine

AMSTERDAM — Three people were arrested following a sting where minors were sent out to attempt to buy alcohol, police said. Minors were sent into 20 bars, liquor stores and convenience stores on Jan. 31, State Police in Fonda said. The following people were charged with misdemeanor unlawfully dealing with a child and unlawful sale of alcohol to a minor. …(Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/03/11) timesunion.com, 02/02/11

A population health perspective. Editorial in
Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Vol. 27, 2010 ( 5 ), Helsinki, published by the Nordic Centre for Welfare and Social Issues (NVC). The journal is supported by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), (Finland), the National Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, (SIRUS), (Norway), the Swedish National Institute of Public Health and the Danish National Board of Health. The Swedish alcohol monopoly supports the journal with subscriptions. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 02/03/11) nordicwelfare.org Comment: Very important review on todays situation in alcohol politics.

Da alkoholbedingte Ausfälle bei Kindern und Jugendlichen immer gefährlicher werden, hat die Drogenhilfe mit Blick auf den Karneval ein Vorbeugungsprogramm präsentiert. Dabei gilt der Karneval bei den Experten nicht als der größte Verführer.
Hilflose Kinder und Jugendliche, die zu Silvester und Karneval am Rande der Festmeilen volltrunken in der Ecke liegen, bereiten den Verantwortlichen der Stadt immer größere Sorgen. Nach neuesten Zahlen landen in Köln jährlich 800 Jugendliche mit Alkoholvergiftung im Krankenhaus. Mit Blick auf den Straßenkarneval Anfang März hat die Drogenhilfe deshalb ein umfangreiches Vorbeugungsprogramm entwickelt, das Elterninformationen, Lehrerfortbildung und telefonische Hotlines umfasst. (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 02.02.11) ksta.de, 2.2.11

At least a dozen places selling alcohol in the North Caucasus were attacked with grenades, bombs and gunfire over the last year as armed Islamists bent on installing sharia law have stepped up their battle against those who fancy a tipple. Last week saw the latest fatal attack in the town of Khasavyurt in Dagestan, near the border with Chechnya, where a bomb ripped through an alcohol-serving cafe, killing four. (Source: Google Alcohol News, 02/02/11) blogs.reuters.com, 02/02/11

Today is the World Cancer Day. Today millions of young Europeans remember their relatives and friends who passed away too early because of cancer. “On this day” says Andrea Lavesson, who is the President of Active – sobriety, friendship and peace, “we also think of all those who are right now fighting to defeat cancer and wish them all the strength and hope possible. But to policy makers we turn, too,” continues Andrea Lavesson “in the need to stress once more that there are ways to save these lives.”
One year ago, on World Cancer Day 2010 the WHO regional office for Europe said: “Changes in lifestyle and improved prevention and screening policies could prevent up to 40% of all cancer cases.” Nevertheless, every year more than 3 million Europeans are diagnosed with cancer. This makes cancer the most common cause of death in Europe after heart disease. PRESS RELEASE: 2-P’s to save lives

Meanwhile a recent YouGov survey indicates British opinion is split over whether the Government should go further and introduce minimum pricing; 47% are reportedly in favour with 44% against. Full survey results here and a Guardian report. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 02/01/11)

The Home Secretary has stated the recent below cost ban is expected to result in 7,000 fewer alcohol-related incidents and 1,000 fewer hospital admissions. But the Morning Advertiser (MA) reported the average price of alcohol sold in stores is up to four times higher than the below cost ban level. The Economist suggests the move is more to establish a principle of pricing control for future governments to build on. (Source: Alcohol Policy UK, 02/01/11 See also a Guardian comment.

… on driving performance and attention/reaction time
Aims: Marketing that promotes mixing caffeinated ‘energy’ drinks with alcoholic beverages (e.g. Red Bull with vodka) targets young drinkers and conveys the expectation that caffeine will offset the sedating effects of alcohol and enhance alertness. Such beliefs could result in unwarranted risk taking (e.g. driving while intoxicated). The aim of this study was to assess the acute effects of caffeinated versus non-caffeinated alcoholic beverages on a simulated driving task and attention/reaction time.
Conclusion: The addition of caffeine to alcohol does not appear to enhance driving or sustained attention/reaction time performance relative to alcohol alone. (Source: Alcohol Reports, 02/01/11) onlinelibrary.wiley.com, Addiction February 2011

Immer mehr junge Frauen werden nach Einschätzung des Frauennotrufs Frankfurt vergewaltigt, wenn sie betrunken sind, unter dem Einfluss von Drogen stehen oder mit k.o.- Tropfen betäubt wurden. Rund 25 Frauen hätten sich in einer solchen Lage 2010 an die Beratungsstelle gewandt, im Jahr zuvor seien es 18 gewesen, teilte der Frauennotruf am Dienstag mit. … (Quelle: Google Alkohol News, 1.2.11) BILD.de, 1.2.11