Injury Prevention Aotearoa welcomes alcohol harm debate

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For immediate release
19 June 2015

Injury Prevention Aotearoa welcomes alcohol harm debate

Injury Prevention Aotearoa welcomes the debate around reducing alcohol-related harm, sparked by clinical toxicologist and ED specialist Dr Paul Quigley’s statement about the relative safety of pure ecstasy (MDMA) over alcohol.

“The suggestion that an illegal drug could be safer than the country’s favourite beverage will make people think twice about their drinking,” says Injury Prevention Aotearoa drug and alcohol spokesperson, Papa Nahi.

“For too long, alcohol has been the elephant in the room, but we need to take a fresh look at reducing alcohol harm and raising awareness.”

Screening of patients at Wellington A&E has shown alcohol accounts for two-thirds of late night and weekend admissions.

The links between alcohol and domestic violence, anti-social behaviour and depression are also well known.

Now evidence is coming to light of the increased risk of certain cancers, as presented at an alcohol and cancer conference in Wellington this week, the first of its type in New Zealand.

“We are at the same point with alcohol as we were with smoking 50 years ago, when people were just becoming aware of the links between smoking and cancer,” says Ms Nahi.

“We now know that reducing levels of alcohol consumption would make a significant difference to reducing rates of bowel and breast cancers, which are the most common types of cancer in New Zealand.”

Even moderate drinking has an effect. One-third of alcohol-related deaths in women are attributable to drinking less than two drinks a day on average.

“The more we drink the greater the cancer risk. It’s something we should all be aware of, so that we can make informed choices about our drinking.”

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