Changing our attitudes to alcohol

Attitudes to alcohol need to change before we will see a reduction in
alcohol-related harm and injury in our community, says Christchurch
Mayor Bob Parker.

His comments are in response to today's publication of a coroner review
which showed Canterbury had the highest number of alcohol-related deaths
during the last 10 years.

Mr Parker says it was disappointing that Canterbury had come out on top
but not surprising. "This city recognised some five years ago that
alcohol was a significant contributor to crime and injury in our
community.

"For the last five years, the community has been working together
collaboratively to tackle the issues and reduce the effects of
alcohol-related harm in the central city. The first of these was the
Alcohol Accord, the main purpose of which was to create a safe,
enjoyable but prosperous night-time economy in Christchurch.

"We've introduced Safe City Officers, more stringent Liquor Bans and
installed additional crime cameras in the central city and while these
measures have all helped to stop violence and crime in the central city,
alcohol is still a problem for our community.

"It causes such catastrophic outcomes for individuals and families that
for things to change there needs to be a change in attitudes across our
whole community."

Keeping the public informed about the harmful effects of alcohol misuse
is an important way to help change social attitudes, as well as
legislation, Mr Parker says.

"News that our community has the highest number of alcohol-related
deaths should be a wake-up call for everyone to take some action, to
stop and think about our attitudes to alcohol and its impact."

He says Council has always placed a priority on working with a wide
network of Government agencies and organisations to tackle these issues.

"What is evident with the latest report is that we can only do so much
and that to change our destructive drinking culture these organisations
and the public need to work together and be a unified voice.

"Alcohol misuse doesn't only affect the consumer; it affects their
families, their friends, their relationships and their work colleagues.
This is not an individual problem. As a community we need to work
together to overcome the way we think about and consume alcohol, it is
the only way we can change attitudes and outcomes."