Læknablaðið - 01.04.1979, Page 93

LÆKNABLAÐIÐ
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of initiating research on the efficiency of
control policies and the evaluation of health
education and early detection and treatment
policies.
Conclmions
1. The evidence indicates increasing consump-
tion of alcohol and of licit and illicit depend-
enceproducing drugs in rnost countries of
the Kegion.
There in a clear trend toward similarity of
types of alcoholic beverages consumed.
Most of the increases in alcoholic consump-
tion seem to have occurred between 1950
and 1970, although varying in time and
scale. The relationship between increased
consumption and national economic circum-
stances merits further investigation.
2. The view is generally accepted that there
is an association between increase in per
capita consumption of alcohol and growth
in related problems.
3. There is a need to involve many different
types of health and social professionals as
well as voluntary organizations and self-
help groups within the community in the
prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and
support of cases of persons harmed by
alcohol and drugs. A comprehensive range
of services, with emphasis on community
facilities, should be available.
4. The need for improved education, not only
of the public and patients but also of all
persons involved in the health and social
services, to ensure greater awareness of the
importance of earlier detection of the pro-
blem and utilization of early intervention
techniques.
5. It should be recognized that the purpose of
control meEisures in relation to alcohol and
drugs is the promotion of health by restrict-
ing consumption to the extent feasible in the
country. Such measures should not be
changed or relaxed without consideration of
the possible publie health consequences.
6. Control measures are not a substitute for
other action in limiting the problems; they
are adjunctive and complementary and form
only part of the national strategy from the
public health standpoint.
7. Public support is necessary for the successful
application of control policies. Thus the
public as well as governments must be made
aware of the size and nature of the economic
and social costs of alcohol- and drug-related
problems. Key persons in the community
have a particular duty to exhibit responsible
attitudes and behaviour in relating to alcohol
and drugs.
8. A need is recognized for multidisciplinary
health and social education programmes
for children and adolescents. These should
be developed in the community with partici-
pation of the school, the health service and
especially the family. Health and social edu-
cation is now seen as a part of the sociali-
zation process stressing the importance of
individual responsibility in behaviour rele-
vant to health.
9. Kesearch is urgently required on the eco-
nomic and social consequence of alcohol-
and drug-related problems. The effectiv'eness
of control policies in restricting consump-
tion should be carefully examined, and
health education programmes should be
critically evaluated in relation to methodo-
logy, content and results.
Recommendations
1. Governments are urged to monitor the
level of consumption of alcoholic beverages
and to develop national strategies that will
prevent further increases in consumption
or effect a decrease. Steps should be taken
to moderate the extensive promotion of
alcoholic beverages, by restricting or banning
advertising. The possibility of international
cooperation in control measures should be
explored.
2. Emphasis is placed on the value of national
coordinating mechanisms for investigating
and monitoring alcohol and drug problems
and for developing policies and programmes
to deal with them. Governments not having
such mechanisms are urged to consider
their establishment.
3. Graduate and postgraduate education and
training of all health workers in the field of
alcohol- and drug-related problems should
be established. Intemational exchange of
experienees in education and training should
be encouraged.
4. Agencies, whether national or regional,
dealing with the problems caused by alcohoi
and drugs have a responsibilty to inform
governments and the public about the extent
of the problems and the need for remedial
action. At the same time governments
should ensure that there are adequate pro-
grammes of education on alcohol and drug
use available for children and adolescents.
5. Research is required on many aspects of
alcohol and drug problems. Areas urgently
in need of research include the epidemiology
of alcohol- and drug-related problems, the
effectiveness of control policies and the eva-
luation of educational programmes and
treatment measures.