DrinkWise has always had the ability to create a bit of stir, be it good or bad.

Now a new study has come out, claiming that the alcohol industry is using DrinkWise to “create an impression of social responsibility while promoting ineffective measures that maintain their profits.”

(DrinkWise is funded by the alcohol industry, and half its board members are senior alcohol industry executives.)

A research team from Deakin Uni examined submissions to the Australian National Preventative Health Taskforce (NPHT) to determine which organisations or individuals discussed positive relationships or work by Drinkwise.

Of the almost 400 submissions to the NPHT, 33 primarily covered alcohol, and nine of these 33 submissions discussed Drinkwise.

The researchers found that all the submissions mentioning Drinkwise were submitted by the alcohol industry or its affiliates “as evidence of their social responsibility or in recommending actions that are likely to benefit their bottom line.”

From this they deduced that Drinkwise is being used to create an impression of social responsibility while promoting interventions that will do nothing to impact on profits (education, labels on alcohol beverage containers) and failing to press for measures known to be effective (increased taxes, reducing marketing and sponsorship).

To be honest, this research just confirms what a lot people have always thought.  However, on the flipside, people in the sector readily acknowledge that to affect change, a suite of strategies need to implemented, and education is one of those strategies.

At least these days DrinkWise is upfront about it being an industry funded body whereas before it felt a bit like the elephant in the room.

It still sits uncomfortably with me though.

What do you think about DrinkWise?  Is it an industry puppet, or does DrinkWise serve a purpose? Email CAAN@adf.org.au

Until next week,

Sarah Jaggard
Community Mobilisation Policy Officer

* The study, “Alcohol industry use of social aspect public relations organisations against preventative health measures”, is published in the latest issue of Addiction.

This 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report shows mixed findings on alcohol consumption and risk. 

The proportion of the population aged 14 years or older who consumed alcohol daily declined between 2007 (8.1%) and 2010 (7.2%). However, there was little change in the proportion of people drinking alcohol at levels that put them at risk of harm over their lifetime (20.3% in 2007 and 20.1% in 2010), or from a single drinking occasion at least once a month (28.7% in 2007 and 28.4% in 2010).

As the Australian population has increased, the number of people drinking at risky levels increased between 2007 and 2010. Around 7% of recent drinkers changed their drink preference, shifting away from pre-mixed spirits; this preference was particularly evident for those aged less than 29 years.

There was higher support in 2010 (compared with 2007) given to alcohol measures related to venues, such as restricted trading and limiting the number of venues. Abstainers and those drinking at low risk levels were more likely than risky drinkers to support policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm.

The Justice Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (the Bill) introduced by the Victorian Government, has been passed with an effective date of 1 August 2011.

The amendments:

• increase the penalty for being drunk and disorderly
• increase the penalty for failing to obey a direction to leave a licensed premises when drunk, violent or quarrelsome
• introduce a new offence for a person remaining in the vicinity (approximately 20 metres) of a licensed premises after they have been refused entry, asked to leave or issued a barring order
• introduce a new offence for a person re-entering a licensed premises within 24 hours of being asked to leave or refused entry
• introduce new powers for licensees and police to issue barring orders to bar individuals from entering or remaining on licensed premises for a specified period, non-compliance of which will be punishable by a fine.

Further information can be found on page seven of the Victorian Government’s Grapevine newsletter.
 

Booze superstores spark alarm
The West Australian, 22 July 2011
Public health experts are worried about plans for a big expansion of liquor "superstores" in Perth, including Woolworths' bid to almost double the number of Dan Murphy's chains. They argue there is a clear link between locations where large volumes of alcohol are sold and violence on the street and in homes.

AHA lashes council for its night vision
Sydney Morning Herald, 22 July 2011
The pubs industry lobby has hit back at the City of Sydney's latest plans for diversifying the late-night economy, saying the council is captive to a view that ''alcohol is evil'' and has a vision for the city that involves ''more McDonald's and more coffee shops''.

Time for a happy ending, say booze experts
The Age, 24 July, 2011
Public health experts want a ban on happy hours and two-for-one bottle shop deals as the push to end Australia's proliferation of cheap booze and set a minimum price for alcohol intensifies. The National Alliance for Action on Alcohol says irresponsible discounts encourage drunkenness and fuel alcohol-related violence and health problems.

Drinkwise 'used' by alcohol companies
Sydney Morning Herald, 25 July 201
Controversial new research argues the industry-funded DrinkWise organisation is being used as a puppet by alcohol companies to boost profits. Dr Peter Miller, from Deakin University's School of Psychology, described DrinkWise as a SAPRO (social aspects/public relations organisation) commonly used by industries which harm many of their users.

Proposal for hospital bar shocks experts
The Age, 25 July 2011
Health experts are shocked that alcohol may be served at the new $1 billion Royal Children's Hospital after plans revealed space for a bar at the Parkville site. A blueprint seen by The Age shows a large 264-square-metre area for a "restaurant/bistro/bar" in the retail zone of the new paediatric centre on Flemington Road.