When we are combating a massively funded campaign, pushing a toxic, addictive and carcinogenic drug, with a saturation media coverage down to 8 year old children, via Television, Radio, The Arts, Sporting Sponsorship, Facebook and New Media campaigns, and finally, School Based Alcohol Promotions, then Education is simply NOT enough.
Latest research published in the Lancet proves this. In ‘Knowledge of drinking guidelines does not equal sensible drinking‘, by Antony C Moss, Kyle R Dyer and Ian P Albery, in reviewing UK’s current approach to alcohol-related policy, prevention, and treatment – largely copied in Australia – is ineffective and uncoordinated. The .’..platforms for action were revision of policies for the pricing and promotion of alcohol, mandatory labelling, and revised sensible drinking guidelines. The focus on clear labelling and guidance carries with it the assumption that providing such information and facilitating its comprehension will reduce irresponsible drinking behaviour.’
They then blow these assumptions out of the water. They actually found a group in the UK who actually knew the UK’s drinking guidelines! No mean feat. Better than that, all of the test group had previously ‘received a structured curriculum incorporating specific education on alcohol and other drug misuse’. Then they surveyed their drinking habits:
41% were found to be at risk of alcohol dependence! 56% reported heavy and binge drinking, 78% consumed alcohol hazardously, 65% reported experiencing alcohol-related harms, and 24% reported at least one occasion where they were not able to stop drinking once started. More than half were not considering engaging in ‘sensible drinking’.
Upon these people rest the future of the UK’s Hospitals and Medical Care. The test group are current Medical Students…
