Alcohol came top on the list of most harmful drugs in Aotearoa in a report prepared by the University of Otago's Department of Population Health, a fact which hit the headlines on June 28, 2023.
We're grateful for the mention of FASD from Dr Rose Crossin of Otago University: “It’s rated the most harmful because of its association with a huge number of diseases, cancers, psychological disorders and other medical conditions,” she said.
“Alcohol also causes more harm to others than to those who use it, including families, friends, communities and wider society,” she said. “As an example, it’s associated with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which negatively affects a person’s life, education and employment prospects."
While other international drug harm ranking studies have examined harm in a general population, this Health Research Council-funded study is believed to be the first to evaluate and rank psychoactive drugs in Aotearoa New Zealand according to harm within both the general population, and also separately for youth.
• We work closely with Alcohol Healthwatch.
• Alcohol Action has an evidence-based five-point plan to reduce alcohol harm in New Zealand.
• Amohia te Waiora (we're stronger without alcohol) – this site has a wellbeing angle and acknowledges that Māori are disproportionately affected by waipiro / alcohol.
• Actionpoint works with communities to target alcohol harm.
This book included contributions from an international panel, which included professionals from Aotearon. The third edition was launched at the end of 2022, and is now also available as a digital download. Click here for more info.
