14 May 2009

Mechanisms for addressing the easy availability of cheap alcohol are just one of the issues to be debated at the Alcohol Advisory Council's (ALAC) Working Together 2009 conference which opens in Wellington today (May 14).

More than 300 delegates are expected to attend to discuss emerging alcohol-related harm issues and identify challenges and opportunities in the field.

ALAC Chief Executive Officer Gerard Vaughan said the last year had seen issues such as cheap alcohol, easy availability, open all hours policies, location and density of outlets and concern over lack of community input into licensing decisions had hit the headlines.

"Of particular concern is the read availability of cheap alcohol. As the players compete for market share, the resulting lower prices and greater availability has negative consequences for communities, particularly for the most vulnerable groups.

"Alcohol prices have an effect on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. Consumers of alcoholic beverages respond to changes in alcohol prices, and this includes heavy or problem drinkers, by purchasing more.

"The lower the price the more it encourages people to drink and when we as a nation start to drink then we have a tendency to drink to intoxication and we are all paying for that as - every one of us."

Mr Vaughan said the Law Commission had floated the idea of a rise in excise tax to increase alcohol prices. Another mechanism which would be outlined to the conference by the international guest speaker was minimum price.

The international keynote speaker is Dr Peter Rice who is a member of the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) Executive Committee. Dr Rice is one of Scotland's leading medical voices on alcohol and has played a key role in influencing the Scottish Government on the areas of alcohol services and effective alcohol policy such as the introduction of minimum price for alcohol. Dr Rice addresses the conference on Thursday.

On Friday the Law Commission President Sir Geoffrey Palmer will speak on the Commission's review of New Zealand's regulatory framework of alcohol which will be followed by a workshop on reform options.

Other keynote speakers include Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne; New Zealand Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell and Queenstown Mayor Clive Geddes.

The two day conference is being held in at the Intercontinental Hotel in Wellington on Thursday May 14 and Friday May 15. The conference programme and information on stream sessions follows.

Thursday 14 May 2009 Working Together Conference 2009 (Day 1)

7.30amRegistration (tea and coffee available from 8.30am)

9.00amMihi WhakatauWelcome to the conference from ALAC Council Chairperson - Mr Peter Glensor

9.25amWelcome to Wellington - Mayor Kerry Prendergast

9.40amKeynote Address - Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Peter Dunne With responsibility for the National Drug Policy (including alcohol)

10.00amMorning Tea

10.30amKeynote Address - Dr Peter Rice, Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS Tayside, ScotlandThe Scottish Experience - Alcohol Policy Developments from Scotland

11.30amUse of brief intervention in a wider range of settingsPanel Session and interactive discussion

12.45pmLunch

1.45pmWhat makes effective community action?Panel Session and interactive discussion (A bottom up approach to reducing the harm from alcohol in our communities)

3.00pmAfternoon Tea

3.30pm(Lambton 1)Stream 1Community Action (Lambton 2)Stream 2Policy / Legislation(Featherston)Stream 3Research(Rosanna)Stream 4Health(Wellington)Stream 5Student Drinking

5.30pmEnd of conference (Day 1)

6.00pmEvening get together function (nibbles and drinks)Address from Liquor Licensing Authority Chairman, Judge Unwin

Friday 15 May 2009

Working Together Conference 2009 - (Day 2)

8.00amTea and coffee available in the foyer

8.30amOpening of Conference: Day 2 - Gerard Vaughan, CEO, ALACReflections of day one and setting the scene for day two

8.45amKeynote Address - Ross Bell, executive director, New Zealand Drug FoundationParallels between international drug policy development and the creation of alcohol policy in NZ

9.30amKeynote Address - Mayor Clive Geddes, Queenstown District CouncilThe challenges in planning for alcohol in our community

10.00amMorning Tea

10.30amKeynote Address - Sir Geoffrey Palmer, President, The Law CommissionThe review of the New Zealand's regulatory framework for alcoholWorkshop on reform options (With the Law Commission staff)

12.00pmLunch

1.00pm(Lambton 1)Stream 1Community Action (Lambton 2)Stream 2Local Government(Featherston)Stream 3Health (Rosanna)Stream 4Community Action(Wellington)Stream 5Policy / Legislation

3.00pmAfternoon tea

3.30pmFinal Keynote - Dave Hadfield, consultant, MindPlusThe role of alcohol in sport - how we can change a culture

4.15pmDr Peter Rice, report back on the conference, perspectives, impressions and challenges_Close of conference - Gerard Vaughan, CEO, ALAC

4.30pm Poroporoaki

4.40pmEnd of Conference (Day 2)

Working Together Conference 2009

Allocation of stream sessions

Day 1Thursday14 MayCommunity Action(Lambton 1)Policy / Legislation(Lambton 2)Research(Featherston)Health(Rosanna)Student Drinking.(Wellington)

3.30pmThe too hard basket: the development of community action approaches to reducing the social supply of alcohol to minorsSarah Greenaway and Rebecca WilliamsPolice National Alcohol AssessmentBex Stevenson and Tracy PattersonAlcohol related injury presentations to Hawkes Bay HospitalDr Caroline McElnayNormalising DepressionBryan Cope and Charmaine ShawThe Ultimate Party Pallet_Dr Marion Poore

4.00pmOperation"THINK 2009"Gavin Campbell and Paul RadichA case for lowering the BACRoanne GovenderAlcohol's Harm to OthersSally CasswellTraining the trainers - Tongan Health Workers Association ProjectManu FotuIntegreation Not Imposition: Canterbury's approach to anti-social drinkingSteve Dukes

4.30pmChallenging Attitudes - Parenting Tools for the Teenage YearsShreeve Donaldson and Dawn MeertensA new model for outdoor events Karen South and Barry McDonaldAlcohol and Family Violence - what can we do?Ruth Herbert Counties Manukau AOD Workforce: A community based initiativeAlison Penfold and Nicola WoodwardVictoria University - Tackling Alcohol Related HarmAndrea Boston

5.00pmCHOICES Safer PartyingRosey Duncan and Sally Wood Student Radio in the South IslandKaren South and Barry McDonaldDensity of Alcohol Outlets and Teenage DrinkingTasia HuckleSales and Marketing Tips: Free AOD Training (CMDHB Abacus Partnership)Maryanne Cook and Alison PenfoldDeveloping a Strategic Response to Tertiary Student DrinkingRebecca Williams

Day 2Friday15 MayCommunity Action(Lambton 1)Local Government(Lambton 2)Health(Featherston)Community Action(Rosanna)Policy / Legislation(Wellington)

1.00pmCAYAD - update on the national project and a successful local exampleSally Liggins and Bev ThomasCan a community safety approach reduce alcohol related harmLaurie GabitesSupporting Effective Practice in the Public Health SectorFran VoykovichOperation Restore NewtownVicki HiriniNelson City and Tasman District Hospitality ProtocolJeanette Swift,Paul Max,Alyn Higgins,Mike Fitzsimmons

1.30pmOxford YouthShelley Robinson,Jo EalamLocal Host Responsibility AwardsYvonne PalmerFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - finding the fitChristine RoganInuSmart, InuSafelyFilipo MotulaloTackling Drink DrivingKathryn MacIver

2.00pmDrink Impaired DriversBronwen WoodThe spatial and other characteristics of liquor outlets in Manukau CityWilliam Cochrane"Get into it not out of it" Moderation brand campaignLynn GraceReaching Communities Who Hear With Their HeartsBen TaufuaIndustry and Regulator Working TogetherCaleb Taiala, Barry McDonald and Al Lawn

2.30pmSADD Today, SADD TomorrowJulie ElliotteAuckland City Alcohol Action PlanRachel OrrPacific Community Education ToolkitPesio Ah-Honi SiitiaSearching for Pacific Solutions - A community based intervention projectDr Margaret SouthwickALAC's Priority Population StrategiesKristen Maynard