Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/pressrelease/?id=65
Published: 1st September 2005
The government's education-based 'sensible drinking' strategy for countering alcohol misuse is 'not evidence based' argues Chris Cook in this summer's edition of CMF's Triple Helix magazine. Cook, a former consultant psychiatrist working in the field of alcohol misuse argues that the government approach is built on false presuppositions.
'Research shows that alcohol related morbidity and mortality are directly related to the quantity of alcohol consumed by a population which in turn is directly related to the availability and acceptability of alcohol in that population. This means that price is the major determinant of consumption and taxation is a very effective preventative tool.' There is, in contrast 'virtually no supporting research evidence regarding education on sensible drinking as a strategy for preventing alcohol problems' writes Cook.
The Government are set to implement their newly liberalised drinking laws as of November – a move that top doctors have called 'insane' as it will inevitably lead to greater alcohol misuse and harm to the individual and to communities.
'Governments must not imagine that education of the individual absolves them of their responsibility to take effective action for the public good', writes Cook. It appears as though this present Government imagines exactly that.
Other highlights of Triple Helix, which is published quarterly, are 'Problem drinking: The bigger picture' 'Children living with AIDS', and 'Mischief at the BMA'.
Triple Helix and Nucleus (the CMF quarterly student magazine) are available on this site (in the literature section).
Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
