‘Harms are too high’: P.E.I. releases provincial plan to reduce alcohol-related issues

An alcoholic beverage is seen in a restaurant setting. (CTV file photo)

Prince Edward Island has released a new plan to reduce alcohol-related harm.

The Provincial Alcohol Strategy was developed with input from more than 1,100 Islanders, community groups, and partners over several years.

It focuses on prevention, policy, enforcement, and awareness with 16 recommendations to be implemented over time.

“Prevention matters. We know that alcohol is a risk factor for at least nine types of cancer, including breast and colorectal cancer, and that reducing alcohol-related harms can help reduce cancer risk,” says Heather Mulligan of the Canadian Cancer Society in a provincial news release on Monday.

Among the recommendations, the new plan suggests the development of screening services for harmful drinking, youth-focused prevention programs and collaboration to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

According to the province, one in three Islanders drink at levels considered “high risk” for serious health issues, including cancer, heart disease and liver disease.

“Alcohol harms are too high, impacting families, community safety, and putting strain on our health system,” says Minister of Health and Wellness Cory Deagle in the release.

“By strengthening prevention and modernizing policy, we are taking meaningful steps to reduce those harms,” adds Deagle.

The government states alcohol contributes to 135 deaths and nearly 7,000 hospital visits per year on P.E.I.

It also notes direct alcohol-related costs are more than $131 million annually, surpassing revenue from alcohol sales and resulting in an estimated yearly deficit of $61 million.

The province suggests minimum pricing at P.E.I. liquor outlets – which is not tied directly to alcohol content – might incentivize buyers to consume higher strength or volume products.

Also known as Social Reference Pricing (SRP), other provinces such as Manitoba and Nova Scotia now base their SRP on alcohol content to avoid this incentivization.

P.E.I.’s new plan recommends the Island also update its SRP formula to be based on alcohol content.

The province’s recommendations are set to be executed in partnership with different communities and associations.

It says the plan will “reduce pressure on the health care system, improve public safety and help islanders to make informed decisions that support their health.”

UPEI has committed to align actions with the Provincial Alcohol Strategy.

“The University has already updated its alcohol policy and has introduced the national ‘Your Drink, Your Call’ campaign, which supports non-judgmental approaches to alcohol-harm awareness,” says Marilyn Bennett, the director of distributed medical education and family medicine at UPEI.

The province says one in three Grade 12 students reported binge drinking in the past month.

Outside of schools, almost 80 per cent of civic addresses are within a 10-minute drive of a PEI Liquor Control Commission (PEILCC) outlet.

The Provincial Alcohol Strategy recommends updating the policy for liquor-store density based on population and ensuring PEILCC use at least three per cent of net profit to fund harm reduction initiatives.

It also encourages a review of PEILCC stores’ open hours, suggesting longer and later selling times increase impaired driving, assaults, injury and hospitalization.

MADD Canada has expressed approval for the province’s new plan.

According to the government, P.E.I. leads all provinces in police-reported impaired driving rates.

“Proactive and high-profile enforcement are key to addressing impaired driving,” says MADD member Brenda Simmons.

P.E.I.’s new strategy suggests several steps to improve public safety outcomes, including a driver’s licence program review.

The recommendations also include assessing the ignition interlock program’s effectiveness in preventing recidivism among convicted impaired drivers.

“The strategy does not propose increasing alcohol sales taxes or reducing the number of PEI Liquor outlets. The strategy is focused on ‘off-premise’ outlets (PEI Liquor Control Commission, where most alcohol is sold, instead of ‘on-premise’ outlets like bars and restaurants,” reads a statement from the province on Monday.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.