Citation

Susia TP, Svab I, Kolsek M. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2005.

Affiliation

University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty, Department of Family medicine, Poljanski nasip 58, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; Health Center Ljubljana, Ob Zdravstvenem domu 1, 1210 Šentvid, Slovenia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.11.021

PMID

16384656

Abstract

AIM: To define the national strategy and public actions to reduce alcohol related harm, based on societal consensus. BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse is an avoidable behaviour that can threaten health. In Slovenia, only a few public campaigns against drinking alcohol are under way. It is important to establish which community measures are acceptable to society in Slovenia in order to reduce alcohol-related risks. METHODS: A Delphi study with 45 professionals from different disciplines was conducted. Participants offered many suggestions to improve the current situation. After three rounds of questionnaires, 86 participant statements were accepted as a consensus. RESULTS: Actions such as: state monopolies, alcohol taxation, legislative restrictions on availability and purchase of alcohol, age-related restriction on sales, drink-driving laws, school-based alcohol education and media information campaigns are most likely to be achieved by consensus. The main target populations for implementation of alcohol-related educational programs are children, young people and employees. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the study, a number of community actions against drinking alcohol that could be acceptable for society can now be suggested. They vary across different target populations, change agents (individuals, organizations and institutions) and methods of implementation.