Alcohol Free April Challenge Presentation https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/chief-public-health-officer-reports-state-public-health-canada/2015-resources-alcohol.html Vancouver 2017

The Drug Awareness Society of Toronto 100% volunteer based organization Goal: to reduce the incidence of drug abuse among youth and within families Particular focus on the Canadian South Asian Community Registered under Ontario’s Not For Profit Corporations Act

Our Mandate Awareness Prevention Empowerment Knowing the facts is half the battle Prevention Creating an environment to support healthy decisions Empowerment As an empowered individual, we think, is less likely to engage in drug abuse

What is the Alcohol Free April Challenge? In honour of Sikh Heritage Month! No Alcohol in April. Simple as that! By doing this we want to create conversation among the community and bring awareness to: The excessive value of alcohol within the Canadian South Asian community The challenges faced by family members of a victim of alcohol addiction The challenges faced by victims trying to overcome alcohol addiction

The 30-Day No Alcohol Challenge Agreement  I commit to completing 30 days of no alcohol. Not 1 week, not 20 days, I commit to 30 days. I agree to supporting others taking on the 30 day challenge! I agree to learning how alcohol influences the individual, the family and the society by tuning into radio and tv discussions throughout the month of April. Register today at Dast.ca

Who is the challenge for? NOT JUST FOR PROBLEM DRINKERS Even social drinkers; any one who drinks…even a little bit. Sober buddies stay sober ! please do not start drinking just to join the challenge

Alcohol Consumption in Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/chief-public-health-officer-reports-state-public-health-canada/2015-resources-alcohol.html A review of the Chief of Public Health Officer's Report-2015

Prevalence Alcohol is a mind altering drug In 2013- 22 million Canadians (80 percent of the population) drank alcohol Globally, alcohol is related to 3million deaths per year (slightly more than lung cancer) How common is it

What are Canadians Using?

Summary of Alcohol’s Impact

Drinking patterns matter how much and how often a person drinks alcohol are key factors that increase or decrease health impacts Social situations, family contexts and messaging influence drinking patterns Exposure to alcohol through families and friends as well as through entertainment and advertising can strongly influence people’s motives for drinking alcohol and their drinking patterns.

Safe Level of Alcohol The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s World Cancer Report 2014 and the Canadian Cancer Society state there is no “safe limit” of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer prevention

Factors that help reduce the impact on Canadians, especially youth A regulated alcohol industry Policies on pricing and taxation Controls on sales and availability Minimum age laws Banning advertisement of alcohol similar in nature to cigarettes should be considered -Dast

The Cost of Alcohol

Who is drinking and driving in Canada? More men than women Rate of women increasing since 2005 Highest amongst 20-24 year olds 2nd highest in 25-34 year olds and 3rd highest in 16-19 year olds!

Is Alcohol Consumption the same as Alcohol Abuse? No – but be mindful of drinking patterns and factors that increase health risks

Youth and Alcohol Teenage brains are more vulnerable to the effect of alcohol. Families, friends can play a positive role if they recognize their influence on youth’s drinking patterns and support their healthy physical, mental and emotional development

Youth and Alcohol Are more impulsive Have trouble with self-control Deal with stress differently Have under-developed areas of the brain related to decision making, motivation, emotion and reward Why are youth more likely to drink underage 90% of alcohol addictions are individuals who started drinking as teenagers

Percentage of Consumption Among Youth 60% of youth aged 15-19 had drank alcohol in 2013

Motives for Drinking To be social To create a positive mood To cope To conform Coping and conforming are considered negative motives!

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines

Resources for Alcohol Abuse If you need help If your child needs help If your partner/friend needs help If your parent needs help Visit this link (can also be found on Dast.ca): https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/chief-public-health-officer-reports-state-public-health-canada/2015-resources-alcohol.html