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.
WHO Director General Dr. Chan warns again against vested interests
“Efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases go against the business interests of powerful economic operators. In my view, this is one of the biggest challenges facing health promotion”, said Dr. Margaret Chan in her opening address to the Health for All conference in Helsinki.
Dr. Chan will protect alcohol policy from industry
WHO Director General, Dr. Margaret Chan, will protect alcohol policy making from commercial or vested interests of the alcohol industry. She welcomes an initiative by researchers and civil society organizations that keep careful watch over the behaviour of the alcohol industry.
This is the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance
The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) is a network of NGOs which advocate for evidence-based alcohol policies in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Alliance now invites more NGOs to join.
Global public health community issues warning over alcohol industry conflict of interest
More than 500 public health professionals, health scientists and NGO representatives from 60 countries have signed a joint Statement of Concern about the activities of the global alcohol producers.
South Africa: Conflict over ban on alcohol advertising
A fierce discussion on possible restrictions on alcohol advertising is currently going on in South Africa. The 53rd ANC National Conference re-confirmed the ANC’s intention to introduce a ban on alcohol adverts.
Training program on evidence-based alcohol policies in developing countries
Blue Cross and FORUT have developed a training program on evidence-based alcohol policies. Training sessions have so far been held in seven countries in Africa.
YMCA: It is urgent to mobilize Zambian youth against a harmful drinking culture
- We are losing time. Drinking habits among Zambian youth should be treated as a national disaster. Otherwise all development efforts will be a failure, says Jonas Ngulube of YMCA Zambia. The organization has now held a series of mobilization meetings for youth in three regions of Zambia.
Introducing FISD: Local alcohol and drug prevention in Sri Lanka
The Foundation for Innovative Social Development (FISD) is a national NGO working towards the improvement of living standards in local communities in Sri Lanka. One of their programs addresses alcohol and drugs as an obstacle to development.
Alcohol policy alliance formed in East Africa
During the recent East Africa Conference on Alcohol a new alcohol policy alliance for the region was formed. Moses Waweru (in the middle of the picture) from Kenya is new chair.
The Malawi Alcohol Policy Alliance established
A collaboration process for Malawian NGOs, which was triggered by advocacy efforts by the alcohol in industry in 2007, has now led to the formation of a national NGO alliance, MAPA, to work for evidence-based alcohol policies.
