This article was put together by Councillor Anne Galloway and Chrys Horn.
Many of us like a drink! The Ministry of Health writes that 85% of New Zealanders had at least one drink in the last year. Likewise, it rates up there with essential supplies for lockdown, judging by the way New Zealanders rushed to buy it before we went into lockdown in August.
Sadly, however, when it is abused, alcohol is really harmful both for the drinkers and for people around them. Collectively it costs us billions every year to manage the harm that it does to our health, our mental health and to our crime statistics. In a time of lockdown the mental health benefits and the fact that alcohol lowers our immunity are both important issues. Its effect on domestic violence is also really significant. Worldwide, we are seeing these kinds of problems being intensified by the unusual conditions the pandemic has created.
Communities and alcohol
As such, it is important that communities are able to have some say about where and how much alcohol is sold. At the current time, however, the cards are very definitely stacked against that.
In Halswell, David Hawke and John Bennett of the Halswell Residents Association, supported by the Community Board, have been working solidly over several years to support residents concerned about the opening of bottle stores in our local neighbourhood. It is a herculean task that has involved many, many hours of unpaid work to prepare and appear in a court on behalf of residents to plead the case against alcohol being sold near churches, schools and preschools. We owe them a debt of gratitude.
However we are very lucky. Communities all through New Zealand are faced with the same issues but often with fewer resources. Poorer communities don’t have residents who are lawyers, for example, and don’t have people who can afford the suit hire (really!) and get their heads around the way to argue their case. On top of this, the alcohol related harm can be significantly greater in these communities.
How we can change this
For this to change, the current Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act needs to be improved so that it works with communities rather than against them, and to allow them a voice in licensing processes.
Minister Faafoi has indicated he is concerned about the impact of alcohol and is considering a review of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act. Christchurch City Council has also been working hard on this issue. A call has been made for organisations, groups, whānau or private citizens to send letters that ask that the review be started as soon as possible. If you feel strongly about this issue, please consider sending a letter to the minister.
Finally for your information : The Christchurch Alcohol Action Plan (CAAP) has been developed in response to community concern about alcohol-related harm. It provides a collective vision, strategies and actions aimed at achieving a sustained reduction in alcohol-related harm. Our vision is A safe, vibrant, healthy Christchurch, free from alcohol-related harm.
Please get in touch with Anne if you want to know more.
Anne anne.galloway@ccc.govt.nz 0276660233
Tips for Sending a letter to the Minister
1) Send it via email addressed to Minister Kris Faafoi (k.faafoi@ministers.govt.nz) and Minister Andrew Little (a.little@ministers.govt.nz)
2) Describe how alcohol has affected your life, whether in your work place or in your personal life. Use personal examples rather than clichés or broad-brush statements.
3) Describe what you think the solutions are. You might ask for changes to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, say that the Mental Health Review called for this and perhaps also that Minister Faafoi has said he wants to improve the Act.
4) Christchurch City Council has put together this template for a submission. Note that putting the wording into your own words and adding your own 2c worth will increase the value of your efforts.
No comments:
Post a Comment