Alcohol harm awareness

Reducing alcohol use should be a main priority of Te Whatu Ora/Te Aka Whai ora, and there should be a lobby from these two agencies to parliament to immediately institute vigorous regulation of the alcohol industry (eg STOP marketing to kids via sport sponsorship) and a huge public campaign to raise awareness of harm - during intoxication (vulnerability to trauma including assault/sexual assault), and longer term - (below from CDC Website), Alcohol causes:

• High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and digestive problems
• Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, colon, and rectum
• Weakening of the immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick
• Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance
• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
• Social problems, including family problems, job-related problems, and unemployment
• Alcohol use disorders, or alcohol dependence

Alcohol use is normalized - but actually high use in Nz of this sanctioned addictive drug creates an enormous burden on the health of Nzers (esp our young) and a huge drain on our health resource.