3-0 133404 ALCADV org Oct 08...known as alcopops or FABs (flavoured alcoholic beverages). They are usually spirit-based, but there are also wine-based RTDs (or wine coolers) and even

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Features

Vol 9 No 2 September 2008

RTDs – So what’s the issue?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder –

International FASD Awareness Day

ALCOHOL ADVISORY COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND

Kaunihera Whakatupato Waipiro o Aotearoa

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alcohol.org.nz is published quarterly by the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand / te Kaunihera Whakatupato Waipiro o Aotearoa. An editorial committee oversees the newsletter.The next issue of alcohol.org.nz will be published in December 2008. To receive a copy, contact:Alcohol Advisory CouncilPO Box 5023Lambton QuayWellington 6145 New ZealandPhone 04 917 0060Call free 0508 258 258Fax 04 473 0890Email [email protected]© ALAC 2008alcohol.org.nzISSN 1175-2831 (Print)ISSN 1177-9578 (Online)Editor/writer: Michael Johnson

The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand was established by a 1976 Act of Parliament, under the name the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council (ALAC), following a report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Sale of Liquor.

The Commission recommended establishing a permanent council whose aim was to encourage responsible alcohol use and minimise misuse.

ALAC’s aims are pursued through policy liaison and advocacy, information and communication, research, intersectoral and community initiatives, and treatment development. ALAC is funded by a levy on all liquor imported into, or manufactured in, New Zealand for sale and employs 30 staff. The Council currently has eight members and reports to the Minister of Health.

3-0 133404 ALCADV org Oct 08.indii ii 28/10/2008 9:54:29

September 2008

Contents

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Kia ora, Kia orana, Ni sa bula, Namaste, Taloha ni,

Malo e lelei, Fakaalofa atu, Halo olaketa,

Talofa lava, Greetings...

Gerard VaughanChief Executive Officer

Like many organisations around New Zealand our focus over the last few months has been on writing annual reports, being nice to auditors, completing performance reviews and celebrating the achievements of the financial year. It has also been a good time to ask the most important question – have we made progress?

For those of us in the business of reducing harm from alcohol use this can be difficult to answer. On the one hand we have worked hard to persuade others, but know that entrenched attitudes and patterns of use have been hard to shift. We also know that the harm statistics still remain unacceptably high. So when reviewing the financial year, what can we take as progress when it will take a generation rather than a year to address?

What I take most out of the last 12 months is “momentum”. As I travel around the country attending meetings and forums there is a growing sense that “the time is right” to do something about alcohol harms. Without doubt the amendments to the Sale of Liquor Act before Parliament and the Law Commission first principles review of our now 20-year-old legislation have contributed to this.

However, they are the more concrete signs of what I believe is a real desire within New Zealand to no longer accept that living with the extent of harm from alcohol is inevitable.

Our Council consulted on our five-year strategic direction last year and the feedback we received reinforced the need to lead a national conversation on alcohol. The volume of that conversation has been steadily increasing, with more people stepping up to have their voice heard. As we move into 2008/09 I encourage you to take every opportunity to have your say. As the whakatauki on our strategic direction document says, “Ehara taku toa, i te toa takitahi, engari, he toa takitini” – success is not the work of one, but the work of many.

Gerard VaughanCEO

Message from the Minister 2

Ready-to-drinks 3-5

FASD 6-7

How safe is your home? 8

National Alcohol Action Plan 9

Le Ala: Finding the path 10-11

Changing the Niue drinking culture 12-13

Cutting edge conference 2008 14-15

New resources 16-17

Changes to the ALAC Council 18-19

New faces at ALAC 20

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Communities at the heart of liquor law changesMessage from the Minister

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Some public opinion on this proposal has suggested that targeting dairies in this way will punish the victims of alcohol-related crime – the shopkeepers, rather than the criminals themselves. These changes will not downplay the personal responsibility of offenders for their actions. Rather, they are directed at meeting community expectations around the availability of alcohol and creating an environment in which alcohol can be enjoyed rather than abused.

Accessibility is an issue, and overwhelmingly, these small stores are the worst offenders when it comes to Controlled Purchase Operations by Police. They sell to under-agers much more often than any other off-licence or on-licence.

The Bill confirms that grocery stores and supermarkets are to be restricted to selling beer, wine, cider and mead. These stores will no longer be able to try to circumvent the intent of the Sale of Liquor Act by establishing a full liquor store that also sells spirits as a “store within a store” or an immediately adjacent store.

The Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill is complemented by the Government’s further announcement that the Law Commission will undertake a comprehensive review of the sale of liquor laws. This review is already underway. In the meantime, this Bill seeks to place the supply of liquor back into the hands of communities and parents, where we believe it should be.

Achieving the right balance in liquor legislation is difficult and these new changes, along with a comprehensive review of the Sale of Liquor Act by the Law Commission, should move us forward to a safer and healthier community.

Since my last column in ALAC’s magazine a lot has been done in the area of liquor law. As most of you will know, my colleague Lianne Dalziel and I recently announced that the Government is taking serious action on alcohol licensing and other important issues surrounding alcohol-related harm.

We are now putting the power for controlling the availability of alcohol back where it belongs – in the hands of local communities and parents or caregivers.

The Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill does three very important things: it allows liquor licensing authorities to take social impact into account when making licensing decisions; it gives communities greater say in liquor licensing decisions; and it provides the closest this country has come to having a drinking age – making it an offence for adults to supply alcohol to minors without their parents’ consent.

The Bill tackles some very serious youth issues including a zero alcohol limit for drivers under the age of 20 who don’t hold a full licence; repealing the “reasonable belief” defence for sale or supply of liquor to a minor; and a “three strikes and you’re out” provision for any liquor outlet manager prosecuted for supplying alcohol to minors.

The Bill also clarifies for industry their role in ensuring alcohol advertising is socially responsible. The scope of the self-regulatory system is extended to include all forms of advertising and promotion including packaging, labelling, merchandising and in-store price promotions. The system will move from voluntary self-regulation to enforced self-regulation and there will be penalties for cases of serious or persistent non-compliance.

In 1999 Parliament specifically voted against dairies selling wine and beer. That is the law now. It has been circumvented by convenience stores being granted licences, so my colleague Lianne Dalziel has recommended store size as the means by which we can uphold Parliament’s intention. There will be some discussion on this at Select Committee to clarify whether the proposed restriction is the most appropriate criteria to achieve this objective.

Hon Damien O’Connor

Associate Minister of Health


Ready-to-Drinks– so what’s the issue?

3

continued over

Ready-To-Drinks (RTDs)

were introduced to the

New Zealand market in

the mid-1990s and their

availability has been

growing ever since. It is

well known that young

people like their taste,

especially the sweet ones.

RTDs are pre-packaged, “ready-to-drink” pre-mixed drinks. They are sometimes known as alcopops or FABs (flavoured alcoholic beverages). They are usually spirit-based, but there are also wine-based RTDs (or wine coolers) and even beer-based RTDs available.

In New Zealand, 18- to 24-year-olds are the most frequent drinkers of RTDs, followed by 12- to 17-year-olds. Figures 1 and 2 show drinking preferences by age and gender. (Based on Ministry of Health data – Alcohol Use in New Zealand – Analysis of the 2004 New Zealand Health Behaviours Survey).


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Ready-to-Drinks– so

Figure 3 shows the current total volume of RTDs on the market relative to other beverage categories.

As we all know, drinking alcohol impairs our actions and judgement, and harm can result. To this extent, RTDs are no different to any other alcoholic drink. However, there are some aspects of RTDs that present particular challenges when it comes to addressing alcohol-related harm. This is why it is important to place limits on some of the more risky elements.

RTDs come in pre-measured amounts with clear labelling which makes it clear to people the amount of alcohol they are consuming. However, RTDs are often sweet and therefore particularly palatable to young people.

An Australian study found that the palatability of alcohol increases with age, but young people do not identify the taste of alcohol when vodka is mixed with fizzy drink or milkshake. Sugar masks the taste of alcohol.1

When young people first try wine or beer, they often don’t like the taste. But when we add sugar to the mix, the taste of alcohol can be hidden. Not tasting the alcohol content can make it

harder to judge how much you’ve drunk, and it’s easier to over-indulge, especially when the RTD is one with a high alcohol content (8-12%).

Having said this, the research regarding an association between RTDs and earlier onset of drinking or harmful drinking is not conclusive. Some studies have found some associations between RTD consumption and harmful consequences, and others have not found any such association. Kuntsche et al2 investigated relationships between adolescent drinking motives, alcohol use and beverage preference. The study found that adolescents who had the highest drinking levels preferred beer and spirits, but also drank wine and RTDs to a lesser extent. Social drinkers who preferred RTDs drank less than those who did not prefer RTDs. Kuntsche et al theorised that beverage preferences also had a lot to do with relative prices between beer and RTDs.

High alcohol contentsThe alcohol strength in RTDs varies from about 5% to 12% per single serve container (between 250 and 440 mls). New Zealand’s banded excise tax system means that products

1 Copeland et al (2006), Young People and Alcohol: Taste Perceptions, Attitudes and Experiences, NDARC, University of New South Wales.2 Kuntsche et al (2006), “‘I drink spirits to get drunk and block out my problems…’ Beverage preference, drinking motives and alcohol use in adolescence”,

Alcohol & Alcoholism Vol. 41, No.5, pp. 566-573, 2006.


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what’s the issue?at the higher end of a band are taxed at the same rate as those with alcohol strengths at the lower end of the band. ALAC would like to see the excise tax regime restructured to an unbanded volumetric system so that higher alcohol content drinks are discouraged by means of a higher tax, and lower alcohol content drinks are encouraged by means of a lower tax. In this way, tax on RTDs would be on actual alcohol content similar to other alcohol products. In addition, ALAC suggests removing the excise tax for low alcohol beverages to encourage the production of low-strength alternatives.

ALAC does not favour creating an excise tax regime specific to RTDs, because the overseas evidence does not show that such polices result in reduced harm, and there is a real risk of RTDs being substituted by other alcohol beverage types, including full strength spirits.

ALAC would also support a limit on the maximum level of alcohol strength for RTDs, and the container size, so that the risk of alcohol content being masked by sweeteners is minimised.

Appeal to young peopleBrightly coloured RTDs, packaging and some types of promotions can be particularly appealing to children and young people. ALAC would support higher standards for alcohol advertising, naming and promotions for RTDs. The Advertising Standards Authority is developing a new code to cover the naming, labelling, packaging and sales promotion of liquor products including RTDs. In addition, ALAC would support a system of enforced self-regulation for alcohol advertising.

Energy drinks combined with alcoholMany RTDs contain caffeine and/or guarana (a natural source of caffeine). Energy drinks combined with alcohol can increase the length of time people drink as it combats the drowsiness usually associated with intoxication. These energy drinks can make people think it’s safe for them to drive because they feel wide awake, whereas in fact their driving skills are dangerously impaired.

Although the alcoholic energy drinks currently available in New Zealand do not have a high caffeine content, in other countries there are products on the market with caffeine contents that are two or three times the amount found in a standard cup of coffee.

A mandatory maximum limit would prevent these products being marketed in New Zealand. It is important that we continue to raise public awareness about the risks associated with alcoholic energy drinks and drink driving.

continued


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“In one magical moment FASD –

International FASD Awareness Day was developed by families raising affected children and has grown to now be officially declared by the United States Government and to be acknowledged in a multitude of ways in communities all over the world. New Zealand, being the first country to see the dawn of each new day, has proudly marked the day since its inception, in 1999 – a special year when all the nines lined up. Next year sees another confluence of the nines!

Everyone participating in FASD Awareness Day is invited to share in a “Moment of Reflection” at 9:09am as that time makes its way around the different time zones of the world. In this magical moment – the ninth minute, of the ninth hour, of the ninth day, of the ninth month – we want people to hear the message that alcohol can be damaging to the baby during the nine months of pregnancy or when planning to conceive, and so women should be supported to not drink alcohol during that time. In that minute, we also want the world to remember those who are living with fetal alcohol disorders and how, by working together, we can prevent the harm that they experience.

On FASD Awareness Day bells ring out this important message at 9.09am. This is called “The FASDay Bell Concordance”. Bells are historically associated with warnings, alarms, marking important occasions, and simply pealing for the joy of connecting with the community. FASD Awareness Day is all of these things! The bells have ranged from the first mission bell in New Zealand to the historic 56-bell carillon in Cape Town, South Africa, to tiny bells rung by school children, and wind chimes and rain sticks played by first nation Canadians.

Many communities across New Zealand participate. This year, the wonderfully significant sound of a putatara (conch shell horn) call was heard to initiate that special moment at Pukeariki Landing in New Plymouth. Hosted by Manaaki Oranga and sponsored by ALAC, the people gathered released 99 balloons and among the host of other activities were able to leave a message on the “tree of reasons” answering the question “why” abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.

By Guest Columnist Christine Rogan, Health Promotion Advisor for Alcohol Healthwatch and the coordinator of the Fetal Alcohol Network New Zealand

1 FANNZ is a network of professionals and families connected through a shared vision to prevent FASD and ensure better support for those who have been affected. Our motto is “Everyone is part of the solution”. FANNZ proudly uses the “blue butterfl y” emblem of FASWorld, symbolising how the beating of butterfl y wings in one part of the world can spark a storm somewhere else. FANNZ wishes to thank and celebrate all those who contributed and participated in FASDAY 08 and hope that the spirit of the day will infuse and enthuse more to join us next year.

Every year International FASD Awareness Day is held on the 9th day of the 9th month to symbolise the 9 months of pregnancy. The aim of this awareness day is to have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) more widely recognised, understood and prevented.

FASD is a term used to describe a range of developmental disorders that can happen to an unborn baby when a pregnant woman consumes alcohol. The effects may be life-long and can range from the most subtle behavioural and learning difficulties to the more severe forms of brain damage resulting in alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. These are all entirely preventable if drinking stops at that all-important developmental stage of life.


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we can change the world”

Tree of ReasonIn Auckland, the Fetal Alcohol Network NZ1, coordinated by Alcohol Healthwatch, held a FASDAY “BreakFASD”. This was followed by a performance by children from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Nga Maungorongo and a seminar on the subject of “FASD and Mental Health” with international guest speaker, neuropsychologist Dr Paul Connor from Seattle, USA.

Dr Connor’s presentation set out what is currently known about the teratogenic effects of alcohol on brain structure and function during gestation and the life outcomes for those affected. These effects can be pervasive, variable (because of the variation in timing, dose and genetics) and profound.

Dr Connor discussed how the brain structure and function for affected individuals can be similar, regardless of the presence of other associated physical or structural damage, such as that seen in a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The physical characteristics that distinguish FAS simply point to the timing of heavy exposure early in pregnancy, whereas the brain is vulnerable to the teratogenic effects of alcohol at all stages of pregnancy, and that can lead to alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND) with similar cognitive and functional outcomes to those diagnosed with full FAS. Indeed the invisibility of the disabilities in the absence of obvious physical signs can mean that affected individuals will experience greater difficulty functioning in a society that does not recognise their disability.

Diagnosing ARND is made more difficult because the associated disorders can mimic other causes or may be due to multiple causes. Efforts to screen for high-risk babies at birth are being investigated. One screening test that holds promise is a simple and inexpensive ultrasound scan to measure the shape and size of the corpus callosum which can be viewed through the anterior fontanelle on the top of the baby’s head (Bookstein et al, 20072). An abnormally shaped corpus callosum can indicate brain damage in early development. Having this information would enhance diagnostic specificity, but more importantly it would better enable effective early intervention for children at risk.

2 Bookstein F, Connor P, Huggins J, Barr H, Pimentel K & Streissguth A (2007). Many Infants Prenatally Exposed to High Levels of Alcohol Show One Particular Anomaly of the Corpus Callosum. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, Vol 31 (5) 1-12.

Everyone participating in FASD Awareness Day was invited to share in a “Moment of Reflection” at 9:09am as that time made its way around the different time zones of the world. In this magical moment – the ninth minute, of the ninth hour, of the ninth day, of the ninth month – we wanted people to hear the message that alcohol can be damaging to the baby during the nine months of pregnancy or when planning to conceive, and so women should be supported to not drink alcohol during that time.

If you would like further information, contact Christine Rogan, Health Promotion Advisor for Alcohol Healthwatch and the coordinator of the Fetal Alcohol Network New Zealand. Email: [email protected] DDI: 09 520 7037.


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How safeis your home?

Your home is considered to be somewhere that’s safe and comfortable – a place you can relax and unwind. But is your home as safe as you think? Statistics recently released by ACC – to officially mark Safety NZ Week (which ran from 1-7 September) – revealed that more injuries happen in the home than anywhere else. In fact, this year one in seven Kiwis will be injured in their home, and 36,000 of these people will be injured so badly they will require hospitalisation. Worst of all, 500 of these people will die from their injuries. That’s almost five times the number of people who die from workplace injuries, and more than the number who are killed on New Zealand’s roads each year.

Alcohol can play a part in home injuries, with people being more likely to fall if they have had three or more standard drinks in a six-hour period.

However, despite the fact that home injures are so prevalent and can be so serious, research shows that while 55 percent of New Zealanders understand they are at risk of an injury in the home, only 15 percent actually think it could happen to them.

Often the things that cause household injuries are easy to correct – here are some easy tips to help keep you safe in and around your home:

• Install non-slip mats in the shower or bath – many people are hurt when they slip over in the shower or bath, or on wet floors. Using a non-slip mat and mopping up any water spilled can help avoid these injuries.

• Make sure your stairs are well lit and always use the handrail. Install a light switch at both ends of the stairs. Outside, install sensor lights. Always keep a hand on the handrail and get one fitted if necessary.

• Wear non-slip shoes or slippers on wooden floors – it’s easy to slip or trip when wearing socks on this surface. Non-slip shoes or slippers are much safer.

• Make sure that all sliding glass doors are visible – the easiest way to see the glass is to actually put stickers on it. You can also add a frosted or coloured panel.

• Play it safe with ladders – always keep three points of body contact on a ladder at all times and never overreach sideways – keeping your belt buckle between the ladder rails is a good way to ensure you do not overreach.

For more information on how to keep yourself safe at home, visit: www.homesafety.co.nz

In one year:Over 2,400 people were injured on steps and stairs.

437 adults suffered injuries while using a ladder at home.

9,284 people suffered fractures or dislocations from injuries that happened in the home.


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Alcohol-related harm is increasing and the Government wants to ensure there is a whole-of-government plan to reduce this harm. The Inter Agency Committee on Drugs has prepared a National Alcohol Action Plan consultation document. The consultation document was released on 12 August and is seeking stakeholder submissions on proposed government actions to reduce alcohol-related harms.The Inter Agency Committee on Drugs (IACD) consists of representatives from 15 government agencies. Together they are seeking your comments on a draft plan of priorities and actions. Specifically, the IACD would like your comments on:

• where efforts should be focused in the next five years to make the biggest difference in reducing alcohol-related harm;

• whether the actions currently identified in the plan should have the highest priority; and

• what gaps you see in what is currently proposed and your ideas for addressing these gaps.

The draft Action Plan proposes a vision of: “A New Zealand that is free from alcohol-related harm”. Five goals underpin the vision and provide the broad areas of focus, namely:

1. Individuals, families and wha-nau: Empower and support individuals and families and wh≠nau to manage alcohol in their lives and receive help when they need it.

2. Community and environment: Enhance community wellbeing and safety in environments affected by alcohol or where alcohol is used.

National AlcoholAction Plan

released for consultation

3. Workforce and skills: Maintain and develop capacity and supportive networks for an effective workforce that contributes to reducing alcohol-related harm.

4. National frameworks: Ensure legislative and regulatory environments are responsive and address the harms caused by alcohol misuse.

5. Information, research and communications: Improve the collection and communication of data, information and research on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm.

There are two key themes reflected in the proposed actions. These are about changing social norms, cultures and environments to support responsible drinking behaviours, and recognising potential and reducing inequalities for different population groups that experience disproportionate levels of alcohol-related harm (M≠ori, Pacific peoples and young people).

The specific actions that are proposed are listed in the draft Action Plan, available at http://ndp.govt.nz. The actions range from reviewing the legal blood alcohol content limit for driving and the provision of various guidelines, through to improving access to health care services and early and brief intervention programmes, and to community action type initiatives and social marketing. The actions include monitoring, review and research actions and strengthening of the regulatory environment.

The draft Action Plan and a submission form can be found on the National Drug Policy website http://ndp.govt.nz. Your submission can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:

National Alcohol Action Plan Consultation FeedbackMinistry of HealthPO Box 5013Attention: National Drug Policy Team

Submissions close on 7 November 2008. The finalised Action Plan is expected to be launched in 2009.


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Le AlaFinding the path

Initially titled “Searching for ‘Pacific’ Solutions:

Researching Interventions and Services that are

effective with Pacific populations addressing

alcohol and related risk-taking behaviours”,

this three-year research project aimed to find

practical, community-based approaches to

minimising alcohol-related harm among Pacific

communities in New Zealand. Branded “Le Ala”

(Samoan phrase meaning “the way or the path”),

the research was conducted by a national

consortium of researchers and communicators

blending expertise in health, social sciences

and communications.

A partnership programme with the Health Research Council (HRC) enabled joint funding by the Alcohol Advisory Council of NZ (ALAC), Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and the HRC to contribute $1 million over 3 years towards this research. Principal Investigator Dr Margaret Southwick from the Pacific Health Research Centre at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua says, “What we are trying to do here is to try and identify how we can go about changing people’s practices, behaviours and understanding, and enable them to find solutions for those issues, rather than restating problems.”

Stage One required the research team to complete a review of literature which identified the need for prevention strategies to address alcohol misuse amongst Pacific communities in New Zealand. A “Narrative” story-telling approach was identified to successfully address issues that are culturally important to both young and old. Two “narrative threads” – religious beliefs and commitments (identified by the Ministry of Health in 2004) – warranted further qualitative investigation.

Stage Two of the research involved a nationwide stocktake of services and interventions to Pacific peoples. Findings from this

revealed that alcohol and drug services were focused on treatment rather than prevention mainly due to current health funding streams. Evaluation of services was also identified as an area where there was a dearth of activity to demonstrate the effectiveness of services for [Pacific] clients.

Stage Three of the research combined a research approach with trialling a community-based intervention using a narrative approach, which the team designed. The methodology was developed through a Pacific cultural lens. Key features have been the incorporation of Pacific values and practices; establishment of relationships, trust and respect between researchers and the Pacific participants; and researchers’ personal commitment and involvement in the project. Participants were recruited from Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau and a pan-Pacific group. A narrative approach was used to get people to talk about their experiences with alcohol, and to help identify some common themes and reasons for unhealthy patterns of alcohol consumption.

Main highlights of the Story-telling groups included: the sharing of food, the friendship, the fun, the laughter and thinking together about how to deal with drinking by parents or young people in their wider families. The groups provided an opportunity in a safe and trusting situation where people were able to offload a burden they may have been carrying around for a long time. Several people noted that they liked working within a Pacific framework or approach.

Achievements demonstrated in Le Ala include:

• Development of a useful model of engagement with Pacific communities

• Successful awareness-raising of alcohol issues affecting Pacific communities

• Opportunities for the participating groups and communities to begin to take some ownership around alcohol issues

• Functioning as a primary prevention intervention

• Revelation of gaps in current public health promotions about safe drinking, in respect of their relevance to Pacific communities

• Opening up of new ways to generate new understandings between generations


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• Contributing to some participants changing, or at least questioning, their behaviours in relation to alcohol.

Two key learnings which stand out as being necessary for the sustainability of a community-based initiative such as Le Ala are:

• The use of existing groups or community networks such as Pacific churches appear to be necessary to the group’s initial momentum and eventual sustainability. Supportive contexts such as the church network or the ethnic community structure provide an established social network of relationships within which groups can be sustained.

• Effective leadership is required to establish groups and ensure their sustainability. It is critical, therefore, that researchers identify and work with appropriate community leaders.

ALAC’s Pacific Programmes Manager Metua Faasisila says acknowledging the challenges navigated by the researchers and funders over the last three years, it is now time to celebrate this Pacific story-telling approach in engaging Pacific communities with an issue, alcohol abuse, which has been hidden, not acknowledged or widely spoken about.

“Le Ala has had a positive impact with its participants because it provided resources and a timely platform for people to address issues of alcohol use and abuse that were of concern to them in their families and communities.”

For further information check out the website: www.leala.co.nz

THE RESEARCH TEAMManagement

• Magila Annandale, BA (Education), MBA, leads the Project Management team and has also managed social marketing and communication campaigns.

Researchers

• Dr Margaret Southwick, RGON, P.G.Dip. (Business), BA (Sociology), PhD (Nursing). Dean of the Faculty of Health Education and Social Science at Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Chair of the Maninoa Community Care Trust in Porirua – a mental health service provider. Margaret is of Tuvaluan descent.

• Dr Leti Lima, BA (Sociology and Political Studies), MA (Hons) (Development Studies), PhD (Sociology). Director of Pacific Research and Development Services. Was a Research Fellow at the University of Auckland’s Sociology Department, the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Canterbury, and the Roy McKenzie Centre for the Study of Families at Victoria University.

• Dr Helen Warren, Post Grad. Cert (Addiction Studies), Registered Comprehensive Nurse, BA (Sociology), MA 1st Class Hons (Mental Health), PhD (Co-existing Disorders). Lecturer, Auckland University School of Population Health. Rich background in mental health and alcohol and drugs.

• Moana Regina Solomona, Cert. (Counselling), Cert. (Advanced Clinical Supervision), BSc (Alcohol and Drug), Post Grad. Cert. (Health Sciences), Post Grad. Cert. (Forensic Psychiatric Care). A dual diagnosis clinician and researcher.

• Dr Ray Kirk, BSc (Psychology and Zoology), MSc (Experimental Psychology), PhD (Psychology). Director of the Health Sciences Centre, College of Science, University of Canterbury.

• Dr Cluny Macpherson, BA (Anthropology), MA (Hons) (Anthropology), PhD (Sociology), Cert. PM&IR. Professor of Sociology, Massey University. Has served two terms on the South Pacific Committee of the Medical Research Council and the Health Research Council and a term on the FRST National Social Science Advisory Council.

• Dr Beverley James, PhD (Sociology). Independent, self-employed researcher and policy advisor. Was a Branch Manager, Social Policy, Ministry of Maori Development. Beverley has also been a senior lecturer at Massey University.

• Diane Mara, BA (Education and Psychology), M Litt (Education), Dip Tchg., Dip TESL, Senior Researcher at the New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Wellington, National President of PACIFICA Inc (Pacific Women’s Council). She comes from a Tahitian background.


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Changing theNiue

In early 2008, ALAC received a proposal from the Niue Combined Task Force on Alcohol Education, led by Niue’s Chief of Police, Ross Ardern, asking for a representative from ALAC to visit Niue and provide advice and support to the taskforce on an alcohol project they are undertaking to highlight the results of excessive alcohol consumption and to promote alcohol-related harm reduction initiatives through an education process.

The taskforce, which was first convened in 2004 following Cyclone Heta, consists of representatives from Niue Police, Niue Health, Community Affairs, the Niue statutory Liquor Board (established under the 1975 Liquor Act) and Niue Youth representatives. The group has significant expertise including medical practitioners, qualified counsellors, Church ministers, youth counsellors and law enforcement officers.

Ross Ardern, a New Zealand police officer, was appointed to the position of Chief of Police for Niue through the Halavaka Ke He Monuina Agreement 2004 (signed by the then Premier of Niue and Prime Minister of New Zealand). The agreement facilitates international governmental cooperation between Niue and New Zealand.

The proposal highlighted the issues that affect Niue in regard to alcohol, especially excessive consumption, including health issues, domestic violence, road traffic trauma, drowning, mental health disorders, assaults and sexual health issues. The paper reported alcohol also causes stress, disability and results in the significant and costly use of health services.

Supply control measures were mentioned as essential to

driving positive social change in the Niue drinking culture.

It also recognised demand reduction strategies, in so far as

“reducing the desire for intoxication”.

ALAC Project Manager Supply Control Andrew Galloway visited

Niue between 13 and 20 June 2008.

While in Niue, Andrew assisted with policy development,

attended and presented at meetings of the Niue Combined Task

Force on Alcohol Education, introduced the concept of and

provided training in Host Responsibility at a meeting of Niue

licencees. He also provided training and opportunity for

up-skilling in Host Responsibility and shared best practice

methods for the effective enforcement of liquor legislation with

the Niue Police Sergeant with responsibility for training.

During the taskforce meeting, it became apparent that Niue

had little capacity in the area of problem limitation, or specific

alcohol and drug treatment options. One of the perceived

challenges was promoting the use of treatment by dependent


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drinking culture

for comment and adoption. Suggested changes to the Liquor Act would be forwarded to the public law office by the Police, once finalised.

ALAC is considering how they might support Niue in developing greater capacity in the area of problem limitation. Potential exists for Church leaders to be up-skilled in the area of extended brief interventions and also for Police staff and others to be up-skilled in the use of simple brief interventions.

ALAC is also looking at the potential to provide further advice, if requested, in the area of demand reduction as the Niue taskforce looks at social marketing options and other associated tools to support the project.

drinkers, and the possible stigma of asking for or receiving assistance from counsellors.

Andrew assisted with the development of a draft Niue Alcohol Policy, introducing the harm minimisation framework of supply control, demand reduction and problem limitation. The policy, as drafted, suggests that preventing and reducing the harm from alcohol be an inter-agency approach, sharing the latest learnings from the New Zealand experience. The policy included the need to consider the context (local and international), consider what the harms were specific to Niue, and some actions that could be achieved relatively quickly and within existing limitations. The paper also suggested some form of monitoring key trends, including alcohol consumption, youth patterns of consumption, alcohol-related vehicle crashes and alcohol-related offences.

Andrew Galloway also completed a draft paper suggesting a number of changes to the Liquor Act 1975. Some of the recommended changes included the object of the act, the constitution of the Liquor Board (suggested to become less politicised), reducing the upper limits for duty-free liquor (currently set at 3.5 litres of spirits, liquor or wine, or 8.5 litres of beer), significant changes to the licensing regime (including designations, Host Responsibility, administration), introducing managers’ certificates, broadening offences by licencees and managers (in line with minimum New Zealand standards), offences by persons under 18 years, functions of the Police (including prescribed enforcement capability) and the ability for the Liquor Board to make regulations.

Both the draft Niue Alcohol Policy and suggested changes to the Niue Liquor Act were left with the taskforce team and circulated

Niue StatsPopulation recorded by Government = 1,700.

Population suggested by Immigration NZ = 1,100.

The island is 269 sq km, with over 60km of coastline.

Highest point at Mutulau at 68m.


14

Cutting edge

The final keynote at the conference was delivered by Paraire Huata, Ngati Kahungunu, Trainer/Facilitator/Mentor

More than 350 delegates attended this year’s Cutting Edge national addiction conference held in Christchurch in early September. This year’s programme was organised around five seminars which explored different angles of the overall theme “Life and Death”.

ALAC was again the principal sponsor with the New Zealand Drug Foundation and the Mental Health Commission also supporting the conference.

The National Addiction Centre (NAC) has run the conference for the last 13 years but this was the last year of NAC involvement.

Looking back on the 13 years of NAC involvement, organising committee chair Professor Doug Sellman said it had been great to meet many world leaders in the field of alcohol addiction and treatment.

What was also notable was that many of those world leaders came from New Zealand, he said.

ALAC’s manager Strategic Operations Tuari Potiki thanked the NAC and in particular the organising committee for all their work over the years in producing successful conferences which were highly valued by the treatment sector. He also stressed ALAC’s commitment to seeing the conference continue.

International speakers at this year’s conference included Piyabutr Nakaphiw (Nong), manager of Thailand’s “O-zone” drop-in centre for injecting drug users. Nong is a recovering drug addict himself and an experienced counsellor and trainer specialising in drug and HIV/AIDS related areas.

As O-zone supervisor, Nong has responsibility for monitoring and implementing behaviour change programme activities in Bangkok. These responsibilities include administrative and programmatic aspects and staff management.

Speaking through an interpreter, Nong spoke of the problems faced by drug users in accessing health care and other social welfare services. The Thai Constitution clearly stated the right of drug users to access treatment. In practice, Thai governmental

officials had forced drug users to receive treatment rather than encouraging drug users to take voluntary treatment. A consequence of that was a high number of drug users subsequently relapsed.

Nong spoke of the campaign to convince the Thai government to take serious action to promote a comprehensive Harm Reduction Programme.

On the same theme the second international speaker was Dr Alex Wodak, Director of the Alcohol and Drug Service, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, in Australia. He has a major interest in prevention of HIV among injecting drug users, treatment of drug users, health aspects of prisons and drug policy reform. He helped establish the first needle syringe programme and the first medically supervised injecting centre in Australia.

The keynote speakers challenged delegates expressing strong views issues and approaches to issues and activities affecting the addictions treatment sector. A feature of Cutting Edge conferences is the amount of consumer involvement and this conference was no exception, with heart-rending personal experience illustrations of some of the problems which are present in New Zealand society today.

The packed programme (with inevitable very difficult choices to be made between which concurrent sessions to attend) included informative presentations and workshops, imparting new knowledge, bringing new perspectives to problems, and sharing solutions to them. They also often reaffirmed the knowledge and skills of a very able, committed and enthusiastic workforce.

Copies of the presentations will be available at www.doc.org.nz

Conference


15

Conference Attendee PerspectiveMy name is Louise Anderson and recently I was privileged to attend the Cutting Edge conference in Christchurch. The theme was appropriately Life and Death.

Just a little bit about my background. In 1987, my friend Gary McGrath came back from Australia with AIDS. Not only were we concerned with the treatment he received here in New Zealand, we were also concerned with the stigma he experienced as a gay drug using man, as well as the risk factors involved with this lifestyle. We came up with the idea of a needle exchange scheme that he had seen operating in Australia. We gave our idea a little twist and the I.V. League was born.

At the conference, there were about 400 people. A number came from overseas, but most came from New Zealand. Looking at the programme, I found that it would be impossible to hear all the speakers, so I decided it would be best to concentrate on those I was particularly interested in.

Thursday opened with a welcome and then after morning tea we were addressed by Professor Sally Caswell. She came up with some shocking facts about alcohol use worldwide, including the huge under-estimation of social consequences. Apparently 5% of world disease is related to the abuse of alcohol! Sally stressed the terrible effects of marketing and branding, especially with respect to young people. Think of alco pops!

On Friday morning I listened to Sam McBride who works in Wellington in the field of Opiate detoxification. He gave us a history of various past treatments ranging from the bizarre to the ridiculous. Things have certainly moved on. He stressed that doctors and clinicians need to listen to their patients because the patients know what they need in relation to their addiction.

We then had the privilege of the life story of Vicki Kiddell. She is now employed as a Methadone Consumer Advisor after (as she puts it) a lifetime of training for this job. She has been off methadone for 5 years but only now is she finding the withdrawal symptoms are retreating. She certainly hasn’t lost her sense of humour. Her talk was warm and very amusing. However, she says, that all in all, the same old attitudes of stigma persist.

We had an amazing talk (in Thai) from a Thai man (Piyabutr Nakaphiw) and even though New Zealand is a world away, the same judgements are exercised (perhaps with not quite the same results). New Zealand does not have the death penalty after all.

I can’t hope to cover every aspect of this conference, but it was a glimmer of hope for the future. Perhaps we can get the terrible directional advertising of alcohol stopped so that teenagers can’t name all the brands of readymade drinks, and then move on to prevent the cycle of addiction perpetuating itself as it now does.

Peter Thorburn, former methamphetamine cook and addict and now Consumer Representative/Educator Abacus Counselling Training and Supervision Ltd Auckland. A feature of Cutting Edge Conferences is the large number of consumers who attend.

Keynote speaker Dr Sue Bagshaw works as a primary care doctor in adolescent health at a one stop community youth health centre for 10-25 year olds. She is a part time senior lecturer in adolescent health in the Department of Paediatrics at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Heath Sciences and chairperson of the trust that runs the Collaborative (a research and training centre for youth health and development).

Keynote speaker Dr Monique Faleafa, National Manager of Le Va, Aotearoa’s new national Pacific mental health workforce development unit that sits within Te Pou.

2008


New Resources

16

Introducing a new kid on the block! Challenging

Attitudes: Parenting Tools for the Teenage Years

is a new resource developed by the Rotorua

District Youth Access and Attitude To Alcohol

(YAATA) group to raise awareness of Rotorua

parents and teenagers of alcohol issues

affecting our young people; and to link them with

resources, support and services available in the

Rotorua community. It was also developed in

recognition of the lack of information available

to parents specifically around young people

and alcohol. Challenging Attitudes is

designed to be interactive, positive, and to

promote conversation amongst parents and

their teenagers.

The Challenging Attitudes resource is loosely based on parent packs developed by YATA groups in other districts throughout New Zealand. However, this resource has been tailored to suit Rotorua community needs, for all parents of all teenagers and is fully translated into Maori.

The development of Challenging Attitudes was a lengthy and collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as Rotorua District Council, Toi Te Ora – Public Health, Rotorua Police, Maori Wardens, Te Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust, Te Waiariki Purea Trust and Youth Transition Services, to name a few. Consultation with community groups, organisations and local young people was a key part of its development to ensure useful messages and information were included. Some of the photographs were also taken by our talented Rotorua young people. The booklet is colour coded so that parents can quickly refer to the section they are interested in, and key contacts are listed by subject to encourage further contact with other local service providers.

As recommended in the ALAC evaluation of parent pack resources, copies of Challenging Attitudes will be made available in places more commonly associated with our parents and also schools and local parenting courses. This will increase the likelihood that the resource is promoted and discussed in social settings. Challenging Attitudes will also be available to order free of charge from the resource library at Toi Te Ora – Public Health. Please contact Lorraine Howarth on 07 349 3520 to order.

Huge thanks to all who have been involved in developing Challenging Attitudes for the Rotorua community.


17

A new guide has been launched to help

employers reduce the impact drugs and

alcohol have in the workplace.

The Alcohol and other Drugs in the Workplace – Employers Guide is the result of a collaboration between ACC, the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) and the New Zealand Drug Foundation. The booklet uses information from the latest national and international research and statistics to illustrate the issue and offer solutions.

“This guide is a simple tool to help employers address the complex and fraught issue of alcohol and drugs in their workplace. It shows how employers can work with their staff to develop policies and practices to make their workplaces safer and healthier,” said Ross Bell, the executive director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation.

The booklet is a comprehensive approach to dealing with the Alcohol and other Drug issue, which an employer has a legal obligation to address as a workplace hazard. The publication suggests ways to develop robust workplace alcohol and drug programmes in consultation with employees and their representatives, with a focus on prevention, education, counselling and rehabilitation.

This free resource is available from ACC. For a copy please call 0800 THINKSAFE (0800 844657) quoting reference number ACC4460. A PDF of the guide can also be downloaded from www.acc.co.nz/acc-publications.

ALCOHOL &

OLDER PEOPLE

Information for older

people, family,

friends an

d carers

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The Alcohol Advisory Council, ACC and Age

Concern have just released a booklet called

Alcohol and Older People – Information for

older people, family, friends and carers to

highlight the potential dangers alcohol has

for the 65+ age group.The booklet is aimed at older people as well as their family, friends and carers. It identifies symptoms that may indicate a problem with alcohol, such as:

• General decline in health

• Withdrawal from friends and family

• Memory loss

• Depression and anxiety

• Falls or other injuries

• Stomach upsets

• Loss of appetite.

It also offers tips for older people to self-regulate their alcohol consumption, such as:

• Notice any increased effect that alcohol is having and adjust alcohol intake accordingly

• Check with the doctor or pharmacist whether drinking alcohol is safe with prescribed and over-the-counter medication

• Work out a personal weekly limit and stick to it

• Have no more than two standard drinks a day with, or before, a meal

• Have at least two alcohol-free days each week

• Avoid alcohol when feeling unwell, depressed, tired, or cold.

Copies of the resource can be ordered from ALAC's website www.alac.org.nz or free phone 0508 258-258. Copies are also available from Age Concern at www.ageconcern.org.nz.


18

Changesto the

Nellie Rata, Te Wh∞ Phillips and Pihopa Kingi at their ALAC Council farewell in August.

The August ALAC Council meeting saw farewells to several members of the Council.

Over the past few months a number of changes have occurred in the ALAC leadership at Council level. In August, the ALAC Council farewelled the three members of our Kaum≠tua Kaunihera. Pihopa Kingi, Neelie Rata and Te Whe Phillips completed their five-year term with the Council in June 2008 and we acknowledge and thank them for the contribution they have made to Council over the last five years.


19

ALAC Council

Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endermann farewelled from the ALAC Council after six years of service.

Dr Kim Ma’ia’i, the new Pacific ALAC Council member, was welcomed at the August ALAC Council meeting.

The ALAC Council also farewelled Fuimaono Karl Pulotu-Endermann, who has been a well-respected Pacific voice on the Council since 2002. He brought to the Council his experience as a registered comprehensive nurse and, more recently, an independent consultant in policy development for the mental health and alcohol and other drug sector. ALAC thank him for his valuable contribution to the Council.

New Pacific Representative for ALAC Council ALAC welcomed Dr Kim Ma’ia’i, the new Pacific representative, to the ALAC Council at their August meeting. Dr Ma’ia’i is a registered medical practitioner and a Fellow of the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners. He is the Director of Student Health Services at the University of Otago, a large multidisciplinary primary health organisation with a focus on key areas of youth health, including education and harm mitigation in the use of drugs and alcohol. He is chair of the Dunedin Urgent Doctors & Accident Centre and has had a leadership role in the development of after hours primary care services to metropolitan Dunedin. Dr Ma’ai’I is also a representative on ALAC’s Pacific Reference Group.


New facesat ALAC

20

Jo FitzgeraldJo Fitzgerald is ALAC’s new Senior Advisor Social Marketing. She has experience across a wide range of marketing and communications programmes, with a strong social marketing focus. She joins us from SPARC (Sport and Recreation New Zealand), where she was the Manager Marketing and Communications. Before working at SPARC, Jo was a

Senior Communications Advisor for Tenancy Services at the Department of Building and Housing and, prior to that, she worked on social marketing and education campaigns at the LTSA (Land Transport Safety Authority) for a number of years, focusing on community and Maori and Pacific peoples.

Jo originally trained as a primary school teacher and worked at Titahi Bay School in Porirua before moving to Massey University to facilitate the National Road Safety Education Pilot working with teachers in 75 schools throughout Wellington and Manawatu.

Kristen MaynardKo Rongowhakaata me Ngati Porou oku iwi

Ko Kristen Maynard taku ingoa

No Turanganui-a-Kiwa ahau.

Kristen was born and bred in Gisborne but for the past 14 years has worked mainly in Wellington in a variety of public service policy advisor and management roles. She comes to

ALAC as a principal policy advisor, having most recently worked in the Ministry of Social Development as the Regional Social Policy Group’s Quality Assurance Manager. “The key focus of my previous role was to improve the policy capability within a team of regionally-based advisors and ensure that the quality of our policy advice was to a high standard”. Kristen has a Law and Arts degree in political science from Otago University.

“Like many Otago students I am no stranger to binge drinking or trivialising the unacceptable behaviour that can result from drinking too much. I have only just started at ALAC but it has already opened my eyes to how damaging binge drinking can be and how we as a society have normalised it as part of our culture. So being part of the solution to assisting a healthy change in our drinking culture really appeals to me. It does come with some challenges though – both personally and professionally – but I am looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Susan FerrisSusan is ALAC’s new Business Support Coordinator. This diverse role includes being personal assistant to two members of the Executive Management Team and assisting with preparation of strategic documents such as the Annual Statement of Intent and Business Plan.

Before joining ALAC, Susan was a Corporate Manager for a company

specialising in corporate property advice and negotiation. Prior to that, she worked as a Personal Assistant for a number of organisations, including several years at the Land Transport Safety Authority (now New Zealand Transport Agency). Susan says, “I have gained a diverse range of skills from working in a number of organisations over the years – from being a lifeguard and fitness instructor in Pennsylvania, USA, to being a Corporate Manager here in Wellington.”

Susan has a daughter aged six and recently got engaged to her partner Tony. She says, “I read daily about the alcohol-related risks and harms that young people are faced with in today’s society – it’s a bit daunting to think what choices and influences my daughter will be faced with by the time she is a teenager, although that’s where the positive impact of many of ALAC’s initiatives does offer a level of comfort!”

Michael JohnsonMichael Johnson is ALAC’s new Communications Advisor – Production.

Michael has been working in Health Promotion, with a focus on resource development for more than 10 years. He has worked for a number of organisations, including being the National Health Promotion Manager for Family Planning, and, just prior

to starting at ALAC, as programme manager of the Alcohol and Other Drugs injury prevention programme for ACC.

Michael is looking forward to utilising his knowledge and experience of alcohol issues in New Zealand as part of the ALAC team. He said, “This is an exciting time to be involved in advancing the conversation around alcohol in New Zealand as the awareness of alcohol issues appears to be building momentum, and a groundswell of people from all walks of life wanting to take action to address alcohol-related harm.”


Two electronic mailing lists have been set up to enable individuals to communicate via email with other alcohol and drug professionals in New Zealand.You can either subscribe to a general mailing list or register to connect to a network of M≠ori alcohol and drug workers.

Electronic mailing lists for the alcohol and drug field

REGIONAL OFFICES

AUCKLAND 09 916 0330 [email protected] 03 365 8540 [email protected] 04 917 0060 [email protected]

CALL FREE 0508 258 258

SUBSCRIBE NOWSUBSCRIBE NOW

Contact other alcohol and drug professionals:

1. If you have access to the web, subscribe by going to http://lists.iconz.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/aandd

You will find a form to fill out. You will need to choose a password.

2. If you don’t have access to the web, send an email message to [email protected] leaving the subject line blank.

In the body of the message, type: Subscribe ***** (where ***** is an alphanumeric

password of your choice between 4 and 8 characters).

If you have any problems with the above, or for further information, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 04 917 0060

Join a network of Maori alcohol and drug workers:

1. If you have access to the web, subscribe by going to http://lists.iconz.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/te_kupenga_hauora

You will find a form to fill out. You will need to choose a password.

2. If you don’t have access to the web, send an email message to [email protected]

Phone: 04 917 0060



Documents

3-0 133404 ALCADV org Oct 08...known as alcopops or FABs (flavoured alcoholic beverages). They are usually spirit-based, but there are also wine-based RTDs (or wine coolers) and even