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Moderate Drinking and Health Benefits: How good is the science?

A critique of a well-known paper published last year in the British Medical Journal concerning moderate drinking and health has appeared as a letter to the editor of that same journal. The letter is co-authored by CARBC scientists and colleagues at other centres in Australia and the USA. The original study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 84 published reports on the relationship between alcohol use and risks of coronary heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease by Canadian scientists Ronksley et al (2011). Stockwell et al (2012) conclude in their letter that all but two of these 84 reports contain at least one serious methodological error and that the remaining two studies are equivocal in their results. The letter can be accessed here. In order to view supplementary online material referred to in this letter, please click here. This material provides citations for the 84 reports employed by Ronksley et al in their meta-analyses and, further, classifies them according to methodological problems.

References

Ronksley, R., Brien, S., Turner, B., Mukamal, K. & Ghali ,W. (2011). Association of alcohol consumption with selected cardiovascular disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal, 342:doi:10.1136/bmj.d671.

Stockwell, T., Greer, A., Fillmore, K., Chikritzhs, T. & Zeisser, C. (2012). Moderate alcohol consumption and health benefits: how good is the science? British Medical Journal, Rapid Response published online 21 January 2012.

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Research assistantships available at CARBC

Up to three 12-month MA and/or PhD research assistantships ranging from $10,000-$12,000, funded through a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) team grant, will be awarded in March 2012. Deadline for application is February 15, 2012.

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CARBC In the news

BC policies to restrict cheap alcohol have curbed consumption
Date: 13 December 2011
Source: University of Victoria

Canada approves first low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines
Date: November 25, 2011
Source: Ann Dowsett Johnston, Toronto Star

It’s like saying to a cancer patient: ‘We can’t treat you yet because your cancer isn’t at Stage 4.
Date: November 25, 2011
Source: Ann Dowsett Johnston, Toronto Star

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The Internationalization of Ayahuasca: Public Controversies and Regulation
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Canadian Media Stories on Alcohol or Other Drugs

CN ON: Beaten Drug Dealer 'Was All Bent Over,' Mother Tells

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Toronto Star, 27 Jan 2012 - The mother of a one-time marijuana dealer, who claims drug squad officers beat him and stole his money, says she was shocked to see how badly injured he looked hours later. "He was all bent over, shuffling and bent over," testified Greeba Quigley, 75, mother of Christopher Quigley, 46.

CN ON: PUB LTE: Pot Prohibition Must Be Ended Now

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Guelph Mercury, 27 Jan 2012 - I strongly disagree with letter writer Marty Burke's assertion that marijuana legalization is not a pressing need (Guelph Mercury, Jan. 23). When North Americans investigate how severely cannabis (marijuana) prohibition negatively affects the economy, erosion of constitutions, national security, employment, education, increased hard drug addiction rates, etc., it becomes clear it is related to almost every problem we face.

CN BC: LTE: Drug Dealer's Self-Justifications Fail To Impress

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Vancouver Sun, 26 Jan 2012 - Re: Life of an ecstasy dealer, Jan 21 Oh what a life! How instructive and edifying it was to read how "Sam" the dealer's "base of patrons" includes the professional class. How exhilarating to know my grand-children could have a kindergarten teacher who parties on ecstasy deep into the night, to then, presumably, stumble to work that morning.

CN ON: Talking Pot With Bob Rae In London

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
London Community News, 26 Jan 2012 - Interim Liberal leader Bob Rae made a stop at the BMO Centre, located at Rectory Street, Friday (Jan. 20) to tell a room full of supporters that there's still life in the party and a need for it in Canada. "Liberalism is at it's best when it's a fighting philosophy because of the things we believe in," Rae said to a room of about 250 people. "Because we know there are some things we have to fight for."

CN BC: We're Way Higher

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Chilliwack Times, 26 Jan 2012 - . . . Than the B.C. Average When It Comes to Legally Producing Pot For Medical Purposes Chilliwack residents are more than three times more likely than the average British Columbian to be licenced to grow or possess medical marijuana, according to Health Canada numbers obtained by the Times.

CN ON: Ex-drug Dealer Denies That Money Motivates His Police

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Toronto Star, 25 Jan 2012 - A one-time marijuana dealer who claims Toronto drug squad officers savagely assaulted him and stole his money denies his testimony is motivated by a $650,000 lawsuit. Defence lawyer Harry Black lawyer suggested Wednesday that Christopher Quigley is hoping that if he "can just persuade this jury" one or more officers beat him up and robbed him, he'll get a "huge amount" of money in a civil suit he has filed.

CN BC: PUB LTE: Prohibition Ineffective

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Sooke News Mirror, 25 Jan 2012 - RCMP Cpl. Scott Hilderley either misunderstands or deliberately mischaracterized the case for legally regulating cannabis. ("Don't let evil triumph," Letters, Jan 18). No one is suggesting we give up on trying to prevent minors from

CN BC: Pot Advocate Fears Public Input On Zoning

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Kamloops Daily News, 25 Jan 2012 - Proposed Use Called a Stretch A public hearing to rezone a property that licensed medical marijuana advocate Carl Anderson wants to use as a pot nursery would compromise security. But the City has no flexibility in the requirement, the director of development and engineering services said Tuesday.

CN ON: Federal Omnibus Crime Bill To Cost Ontario $1 Billion

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT
Toronto Star, 23 Jan 2012 - Ottawa is stiffing Ontario with the $1 billion cost of implementing sweeping crime changes, the provincial government says. The new federal omnibus crime legislation will add another 1,500 prisoners in the corrections system, force the building of another prison and put pressure on parole officers, according to the ministry of community safety and correctional services. Bill C-10 received third reading in Parliament last month and is now before the Senate.