Policies, education and mobilization

Despite the enormity of the challenge, evidence and experience strongly suggest that substance use problems can be reduced.  Such efforts require the political will to tackle the problems and a smart mix of government policies, education activities, and mobilization of communities and NGOs.  Particular attention should focus on implementing evidenced-based strategies, which necessarily include interventions to reduce the availability and the affordability of alcohol and illicit drugs.

Copyright Antonella865 Dreamstime - utsnitt 900p

SAAPA comment to Gauteng licensing case:

Victory for the constitutional right to be consulted on alcohol trading within communities

The Johannesburg High Court has ruled that citizens and communities have the constitutional right to be informed about and comment on alcohol policy issues that affect them. “This is an important victory for public health interests”, comment SAAPA and the Yeoville Bellevue Ratepayers Association.

 
11. November 2017
Resource tool on alcohol taxation and pricing policies

New resource tool on alcohol taxation from WHO

A very good and timely resource tool on alcohol taxation and pricing policies is now available from the World Health Organization. The objective is to support national implementation of the Global Alcohol Strategy from 2010.

08. November 2017
Front Page Living Peace in DRC

Living Peace programme in DRC:

Intervention gives reduced drinking, aggression and violence

The Living Peace programme to reduce intimate partner violence in DRC reports improvements in a number areas, a reduction in alcohol and substance use being one of them. The intervention led to a decrease in the use of aggression and violence, a new report concludes.

02. November 2017
Moore og Pubudu med flagget - 1200p

GAPC2017 closed in Melbourne - Sri Lanka next in 2019

Handing over of the GAPC flag from the Australian co-hosts to the next host country Sri Lanka marked the official closing of the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Melbourne Friday. 331 delegates from 40 countries attended this year’s GAPC.

06. October 2017
Ian Hunter didgeridoo 1200p

GAPC2017 opened in Melbourne

Focus on how evidence can be translated into action to reduce alcohol harm

A tune played on a didgeridoo welcomed the around 300 participants to the Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2017 in Melbourne and to the land of the Wurindjeri people of the Kulin Nation. After this traditional opening the conference dived directly into the question of how alcohol harm can be reduced through advocacy and policy interventions.

04. October 2017
Alle åtte slagene linet opp

David vs Goliath:

Civil society partnership gets SAB to withdraw "Beers for Africa"

The South African beer company SAB planned to sell more beer by granting parts of the profits to the fight against hunger in Africa. “A good idea to support the work against hunger, but a bad idea to raise the money through increased alcohol consumption”, responded civil society organisations. Also this time Goliath was beaten by David. SAB has pulled back.

14. September 2017
GAPC postcard

Still time to register

GAPC2017 to focus on mobilising for change

The Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Melbourne, Australia is one month away. Starting 4 October, the conference’s theme of “Mobilising for Change – Alcohol policy and the evidence for action” builds on earlier conferences’ translation of evidence into action and recognises the increasing momentum around the world to stop harm caused by alcohol.

05. September 2017
Muluzi holding NAP

Malawi:

New National Alcohol Policy launched by Minster of Health

The new National Alcohol Policy for Malawi has been in the making since 2008, a process originally initiated by a group of NGOs. On the 18th of August almost ten years later the Minister of Health, Atupele Muluzi, could launch the final document at a colourful ceremony in Dedza District.

31. August 2017
GAPC2017 early bird

Program ready for GAPC2017

The programme for the Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2017 (GAPC), to be held in Melbourne Australia 4-6 October 2017, is available. The option for early bird registration is still open until 30 June.

15. June 2017
WHA alcohol Sri Lanka

Alcohol brought up in WHA NCD debate

A number of interventions by Member States of the World Health Organization emphasized the need to address alcohol in the recent debate about non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva in May.

01. June 2017