Page 39 - DIVA_2_2008_No.33

potential for hann. In coun- However, in all of them, the country level -
tries where regulations are resulting syndrome can be particularly in deve-
strict, there may be other iu'iin- diagnosed on the basis of loping countries,
tended consequences. These well-defined symptoms that there is a dearth of

include active cross-border include craving and with- such data and their
trade, or a growth in the black drawal, atnong others. reliability is often
market and in home produc- questionable.
tion of alcohol, which is gene- There are also different ways
rally more accessible and of dealing with alcohol depen- Seen from a
cheaper than commercial dence. For some people, com- public health
brands where regulation is pletely abstaining from drm- point of view -
heavy. The current estimate is king is the only option to what do you
that around 50% of all alcohol manag'ng their problem drin- consider as the
consutned globally is home- king. Others can be assisted to main challenges
produced or illicit. In many change their drinking pattems for a state in
cases, it may be containinated and to manage their problems. order to reduce
or of low quality. Therefore, Various approaches have domestic violence as a abuse, which is a much broa-
where consumers are pushed been used ranging from result of alcohol abuse, der concept.
by regulation to the non psycho-therapy, motivational and alcoholism among
commercial market, the result and aversion therapy, to treat- its population? People may drink excessively
may actually be added haim. ment with various drugs that and do ham to themselves
We have all read about mitigate various symptoms, These are two very different and others without being
methanol and other poisoning particularly withdrawal and questions and I would like to dependent - for example, by
in countries including former craving. What works depends address them in tunn. dr'nking and driving or
Soviet Republics, India and largely onthe individual being extreme g. As a result,
parts of Africa where treated. First, the association between different approaches are
beverages may be adulterated alcohol abuse and domestic neededto address this broader
or where people resort to The World Health violence. It is very import to phenomenon of alcohol
cheaper "surrogate" alcohol Assembly will soon understand that drinking does abuse. They include raising
that was not intended for debate on the issue of not cause violence. The litera- awareness and educating
human consumption. The ext- strategies to reduce rare is quite clear on this sub- individuals about their
reme example of what can harmful use of alcohol. ject and no causal link has g and the potential out-
happen with excessive regula- What you do expect the been established. Not all drin- comes, and implementing
tion was Prohibition in the outcome will be? king is linked with violence prevention measures, such as
United States in the early 20th and not all violence is related designated driver schemes,
cenhuy that gave rise to illicit I hope that the outcome of the to dg, that much is evi- server training programmes,
alcohol trade and organized WHA will be a comprehen- dent. Domestic violence per- making entertainment areas

cnrne. sive approach to dealing with SiStS even in countries where safer, social norms education,
alcohol issues that is flexible dg is not widespread or brief interventions and other
Some years ago there enough that it can be tailored permitted. At the same time, measures aimed at preventing
was a debate whether to the very different cultures some hannful pattems of drin- hann before it happens. Such
people who suffer from around the world and the role king do overlap with certain approaches have been put into
alcoholism are to be of alcohol within them. It pattems of violence, including place effectively through
considered as "sick" or would also be an approach domestic violence. These two campaigns such as BOB,
not? Would you call it a that recognizes the need for issues need to be seen within which promotes the use of
kind of disease and if so, effective regulation and en- their proper context, as broa- designated drivers in several
what can be done to cure forcement, but, more der social issues. Addressing European countries. Schemes
it? importantly, within this them effectively requires to make cities safer, particu-
context, pariicular emphasis addressing the violence in its larly around entertainment
Alcohol dependence is classi- on prevention - on addressing own right and alcohol abuse areas, have long been used in
fied as a substance-related dis- harms where they are likely to as a separate issue. Education Australia and also in the {JK
order by the World Health occur, those individuals who about both is an important (for example, the Manchester
Organization, result'ng from may be at particular risk, and step inthe direction ofpreven- City Safe scheme). Key focus
long-teim and repeated heavy those drinking patkems that tion. areas should be educating
drinking. It is important to can lead to hami. And, finally, young people and providing
understand that there are dif- it would allow a role for all the Now, to the second question. them with skills to avoid
ferent reasons why people stakeholders involved, be they "Alcoholism," or alcohol hatmful drinking patterns, aiid
become alcohol dependent or from the public or the private dependence, is a well-defined an attempt to change social
"alcoholics". For some, there sector, working in partnership. syndrome, diagnosed on the acceptance of alcohol abuse.
is a genetic predisposition and One area where such co- basis of specific symptoms
family history that puts them operation could be very usefiil and confined to a relatively A mother whose son had

at risk. Others become depen- is the conection of reliable small population. It shouldnot a severe drinking
dent for a vaxiety of other rea- infomiation on drinking be confused with alcohol problem once said that
sons - social or psychological. pattems and of hann at the
2 2008 Diva 37

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