Alcohol and the summer season
MEDIA RELEASE - Alcohol and the summer season
January 2015
With the longer and brighter days of summer come more opportunities for socialising, which can often include the consumption of alcohol.The Shire of Manjimup's 'Southern Forests Alcohol Think Again' project is promoting the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol, which aim to assist Australians to make informed decisions about alcohol consumption, so as to reduce the risks to health that are caused by alcohol.
According to the NHMRC, a substantial portion of people across Australia drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related harm.
The NHMRC's guidelines suggest that healthy men and women should limit their alcohol consumption to two or less standard drinks on any day to reduce the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury (e.g. cancer of the mouth and throat, breast cancer, heart disease and bowel cancer).
Furthermore, on any single occasion, healthy men and women should limit their alcohol consumption to four or less standard drinks, which will reduce the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.
Shire President Wade DeCampo made some suggestions on how people can reduce their alcohol intake and avoid the short and long term effects of high risk alcohol consumption.
"One of the most important things, especially on these hot days, is to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Space your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages and eat before and while you're drinking alcohol," said Cr DeCampo. "Plan some alcohol-free days too, you'll feel much better for it."
For more information contact Assunta Di Francesco, Shire of Manjimup on 9771 7778 or assunta.difrancesco@manjimup.wa.gov.au, or refer to the Alcohol Think Again website: http://alcoholthinkagain.com.au/
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Manjimup.
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Public Relations Officer, Shire of Manjimup
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President.
Contact: 0427 094 081
