Latest News What Alcohol Looks Like In Our Towns
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New report tells disturbing story of Nova Scotia’s culture of alcohol Wednesday, November 2, 2011- The Mayors of three Nova Scotia towns today released a report that tells a disturbing story about the province’s culture of harmful alcohol use. In Our Words: What Alcohol Use Looks Like In Our Towns presents the results of in-depth discussions with dozens of key informants – including police, addictions workers, educators, judges, and municipal officials – about the impact alcohol has in Wolfville, Bridgewater and Antigonish. “From young children to senior citizens, we learned that when it comes to alcohol harms, everyone pays,” says Carroll Publicover, Mayor of Bridgewater. “Our goal was to see if the research on alcohol use holds true in our towns,” says Carl Chisholm, Mayor of Antigonish. “We learned that it does – without a doubt.” Nova Scotia Liquor Commission sales have increased 56% over the last ten years. Meanwhile, research suggests that per capita alcohol consumption has increased steadily over the last decade. Nova Scotian men and women consistently drink more heavily than their Canadian counterparts. Alcohol ranks second behind tobacco for burden of disease, and it is widely known to contribute to trauma and social problems in high income countries like Canada. From assault to domestic violence, binge drinking, risky sexual behaviour, emergency room congestion, and property damage, the stories detailed in the report paint a dark picture of alcohol-related harms on the ground in Nova Scotia. In Our Words: What Alcohol Use Looks Like In Our Towns was an initiative spearheaded by the Mayors and supported by their District Health Authorities and the Department of Health and Wellness. The Municipal Alcohol Project grew out of a 2010 provincial forum that offered insight into the challenges that Nova Scotians have with alcohol. Discussions inspired by the forum clearly identified the need for municipal engagement in better understanding and reducing alcohol’s harmful impacts. The mayors of Wolville, Antigonish and Bridgewatervolunteered to put their towns under the microscope, agreeing to work together to document alcohol-related problems and explore opportunities for municipal solutions. “Talking about the problem is an important first step,” says Robert Stead, Mayor of Wolfville. “We hope this report proves to be a springboard for further conversations and focused action on how we can reduce the alcohol harms in our towns.” -30- For more information please contact: Robert Stead, Mayor, Town of Wolfville 542-4008 Carl Chisholm, Mayor, Town of Antigonish 867-0154 Carroll Publicover, Mayor of Bridgewater 521-5998
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Municipal Alcohol Report_Final (