A wide range of resource have been developed for use during the campaign, including some that are available in te reo. The What about you? campaign uses facts and statistics to encourage South Canterbury locals to think about issues around alcohol, drugs and mental wellbeing. This includes considering what we think is ‘normal’ in terms of drinking and how much (and how often) we drink.
Campaign materials and activities often include the tagline ‘what about you?’ or ‘what would you do?’ to get people thinking and talking about these important issues.
The following statistics have been included in some of the campaign materials.
Short-term alcohol related risks include:
- Accidents and injuries including vehicle collisions and falls.
- Poor decision making that can result in things like unprotected sex, leading to unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.
- Alcohol poisoning, resulting in vomiting, passing out and hangovers.
- Blackouts and memory loss.
- Aggressive behaviour leading to violence, abuse, criminal offending, or assault.
- People who binge drink (drink heavily over a short period of time) are more likely to behave recklessly and are at greater risk of being in an accident.
Long-term alcohol related risks include:
- Increased risk of developing serious health conditions including heart disease, stroke, liver disease and pancreatitis, and certain cancers including mouth, throat, oesophageal, breast and colorectal. Alcohol is identified as a class 1 carcinogen (known to cause cancer) putting it in the same risk category as smoking and asbestos.
- Substance use disorders, characterised in part by withdrawal symptoms and an increase in tolerance.
- Ongoing effects of alcohol-related accidents, injuries, or assault.
- Family, whānau and relationship difficulties.
- Financial and/or employment and/or housing difficulties.
- An increase in likelihood or worsening of mental health symptoms, especially related to anxiety and depression.
The above statistics were sources from Healthify for more information you can click the following link.
