www.alkoholpolitik.ch

Following the publication of the BMA’s report Under the Influence – the damaging effect of alcohol marketing on young people, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) renewed calls for tighter regulation of the sale and promotion of alcohol. (Source: Medical News Today, 9/9/09)

According to a report CASA issued this morning, (see our entry yesterday) federal, state and local governments spend almost half a trillion dollars every year — almost 11 percent of their total budgets — as a result of alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse and addiction. The worst part is that, for federal and state spending, about 95% of that money is spent „Shoveling Up“ the mess created by a failure to provide enough money for prevention and treatment.
Out of every dollar federal and state governments spent on substance misuse in 2005 (the latest data available), 95 cents paid for the enormous burden of this problem on health care, criminal justice, child welfare, education, and other programs. And only 2 cents were invested in prevention and treatment programs that could reduce many of these costs — and save lives.
This huge waste of money is hidden in many different budgets, so most of our elected officials don’t have a clue about how much alcohol, tobacco and other drugs really cost taxpayers, and how little governments spend to effectively address the problem. Maybe if they knew, they might do something. You can tell them. (Source: Join Together, Take Action! 5/29/09)

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Federal Government Seeks Public Comment on Issues Related to the Implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act.
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act signed into law in October 2008 consolidated longstanding efforts at the national and state level to establish parity between the financial health coverage for mental health/substance abuse conditions, and physical health disorders. The three federal government agencies principally responsible for implementing this law … are issuing a request in the Federal Register seeking information and advice from the public addressing critical issues surrounding the best ways to implement the law and fulfill its objectives.
The Federal Register announcement can be accessed at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-9629.pdf

Governments across the globe must unite and act now to develop a worldwide treaty on alcohol to reduce the growing burden of alcohol related harm, warns a liver specialist in this week’s BMJ.
Rarely a day passes by when, as hepatologists, we don’t see a patient whose psychological or physical wellbeing has been marred by alcohol, writes Dr Debbie Shawcross from the Institute of Liver Studies at King’s College Hospital in London.
In the UK, the death rate from alcoholic liver disease has doubled in the past 10 years, while its incidence has risen eightfold in the under 35s as a culture of binge drinking has evolved among young people. As such, the incidence of cirrhosis is expected to increase exponentially and there will be a 500% greater need for liver transplantation in the next decade. (Source: Medical News Today, 5/5/09)

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Call 2009: New funding opportunities in health.
The European Commission has published the Work Plan for 2009 for the implementation of second programme of Community action in the field of health.
The publication of the Work Plan was followed by the calls for proposals. The Executive Agency for Health and Consumers (EAHC) published calls for proposals for projects, operating grants, conferences and joint actions. The Calls present new funding opportunities for the European organisations active in the area of public health. The total budget available for the execution of the 2009 Work Plan is 48.2 million euro. The deadline for submission of proposals is 20 May 2009. (Source: EU Call, 4/21/09)

ACTIVE launches CONTENT MATTERS campaign to shed light on the truth about alcohol.
Rap stars sing about it, sportsmen and women celebrate their biggest victories with it, women prove their attractiveness with it and teenagers worship it as sign for ultimate coolness – we all witness every day the glamorous side of alcohol. In the face of this picture, a fake picture, ACTIVE – sobriety, friendship and peace launches today its campaign “Content Matters”.
The campaign is financially supported by the Council of Europe. It promotes and fosters its priorities of youth participation and youth as preventers of violence all across Europe. Content Matters addresses the fact that alcohol and violence are strongly connected. The ACTIVE campaign aims on bringing this truth to a broad public. The main topic is youth and their concerns but the contributors are people of all ages who want to express themselves about the topic. From April till November 2009 they all have the chance to write and tell their stories, to shoot pictures, to create slogans and graphic designs bringing attention to the problems and links of alcohol, violence and youth participation. The final product of the campaign will be a book with hundreds of stories, the best photos and designs – promoting message that Content Matters. (Source: Active, campaign homepage, 4/21/09)

Within the framework of the European Alcohol and Health Forum a 2nd Open Forum will be held in Brussels (Centre Borschette) on 30 April 2009 from 10h00 till 17h00.
The Open Forum is a platform for exchange of information and for discussion with a broader range of interested parties, including Member States. It also provides networking possibilities between and among the different stakeholders who wish to contribute to the reduction of alcohol-related harm.
A draft programme (pdf) is available. A more detailed programme will be available closer to the Open Forum. Online registration will start early in April, and will be announced on this website. The number of attendants is limited to 250. Registrations will be processed in the order they are received. EU-Announcement, 3/26/09

Revise the definition of “liquor” to include caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverages.
Montana is on the verge of taking a significant step forward to control the proliferation of alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs). We need you to act now and urge Governor Schweitzer to sign SB 438.
The bill passed both chambers of the Montana legislature last week and has been sent to the Governor for his official signature. If Governor Schweitzer signs SB 438 into law, AEDs will no longer be on the shelves of local supermarkets. (Source: Marin Institute, 3/26/09) Here you get help to do it.

The website of the Marin Institute now features State Legislative Activity, providing the latest information on government activity you can use to take action.
Legislative bodies in numerous states have introduced bills regarding alcohol advertising, alcopops, and/or taxes on alcoholic beverages. Also, a few governors have included alcohol taxes in recent state budget proposals. If you want us to include an action alert for your state, email us at: sarahm@marininstitute.org. (Source: Marin Institute, 3/20/09)

Final Call For Views On Underage Drinking: The British Department for Children, Schools & Families is calling all key stakeholders and partners, including the medical sector, to have their say and get involved with the consultation on alcohol and young people before the closing date of 23rd April 2009. (Source: Medical News Today, 3/8/09) Wir haben einen Kommentar abgegeben.