Alcohol; No Ordinary Commodity
Two extremes: 1. ”Control policies are the only effective interventions. Education and information is only wasted time, money and effort”.
Where do policies come from?
Two extremes: 1. ”Control policies are the only effective interventions. Education and information is only wasted time, money and effort”. 2. “We need to educate people to change their dangerous drinking practises. Regulations are not effective; people drink anyway”.
Change of behaviour is a complex and complicated process…
Change of behaviour is a complex and complicated process… …and we keep on doing it all the time!
A simplistic approach does not work: Knowledge Attitudes/values Actions
A more realoistic scenario: Actions Attitudes/values Knowledge
The key to behaviour change: > Drinking alcohol is a social thing > Our attitudes towards drinking and our drinking habits are socially determined (eg. gender differences in drinking) > Change of drinking behaviour has to involve collective changes, not only address individuals > Strategies have to involve changes in the drinking environment (common beliefs, rituals and the rules of ”the social game”
”Alcohol problems can be minimized or prevented using a coordinated, systematic policy response”
Control policies EducationMobilization The prevention triangle
Control policies: Regulation of markets by governments to reduce the availability of a substance and to guarantee - from a health/social point of view - a safest possible production and distribution system.
Education: Provide information and training and influence values – to help people to decide and act adequately in their respective settings
Mobilization: Make alcohol and drug prevention a part of the agenda for social/political movements, link the issue to other key policy issues and involve leadership and members in practical activities.
Control policies: A top-down approach Reduces access to alcohol Constant reminder: No Ordinary Commodity Education Mobilization
Control policies Education: Myth-busting and factual information; Training of professionals to act professionally; Raise awareness around important issues; Motivate for the need for control policies. Mobilization
Control policies Mobilization: Youth and children’s organizations HIV/AIDS and health promotion NGOs Women’s organizations Trade unions and professional groups Organizations for poverty reduction CBOs and FBOs/churches Education
Control policies EducationMobilization The prevention triangle A broad set of interventions; Interlinked and coordinated in order to create synergies; Each type of interventions serve their specific purpose