Promoting safer drinking

Human beings have been using alcohol for thousands of years. And there are a variety of reasons driving this use. One of the most common down through the centuries has been alcohol's ability to improve social interaction. But alcohol has also been used to cope with psychological stress or to self-medicate negative mental states as well as for the pursuit of novelty, euphoria and the expansion of perceptual horizons. In all of these areas, alcohol use has risk as well as benefit.

Communities need to foster ways to discuss the various risks involved in the different degrees and types of alcohol use that reflect people's diverse motivations for drinking. Risks to consider include:

• health risks for the person drinking alcohol
• risks of injury related to intoxication and context
• risks to the safety of people around due to behaviour of person(s) drinking
• social impacts on family and community

It is important to remember that various factors beyond simply drinking alcohol impact these risks. For instance, the physical context in which drinking takes place impacts levels of risk as do the social environment and social beliefs about alcohol and behaviour.

Some strategies for reducing risks related to alcohol

Reach out and support people who may be using alcohol in risky or harmful ways (e.g., engage them in conversation about their drinking through open-ended questions; share information about safer use like the Safer Drinking brochure; encourage and support their efforts to adopt healthier patterns of use) – see Art of Motivation for ways to offer support (it works for both young people and adults).

Encourage schools, parents and youth groups to work together to reduce risky drinking among youth (e.g., host discussions of the various influences on drinking and ways to effectively communicate safer practices; encourage school professionals to explore Helping Schools; promote alternatives to using alcohol as a means of having fun; enhance opportunities for youth to get involved in community service; educate adults about issues related to youth substance use).

Reach out to local businesses and associations to reduce risky drinking (e.g., develop organizational policy addressing alcohol use and sponsorship; host discussions and educational events about safer drinking; provide brief intervention for employees and members who may be engaging in risky or harmful use).

Consult with local government about ways to address alcohol in your community (e.g., develop appropriate policies to manage alcohol use at public festivals and other community events; help draft a municipal alcohol policy) – see Helping Municipal Governments.

Meet with local licensed establishments about potential collaboration in promoting safer drinking on their premises (e.g., include Canada’s Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines or content from the Safer Drinking brochure on beverage menus or drink coasters; jointly support safe-ride initiatives; adopt and publicize codes of alcohol advertising and service; promote implementation of a program like Best Bar None).

Contact liquor stores in your area about ways to work with them to promote safer drinking (e.g., display on-site posters; distribute Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines to customers; supply guides for parents or party hosts).