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IB NEWS ALCOHOL ABUSE STRAINS HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM: REPORT OFFICIALS ADVOCATING FOR ALCOHOL WARNING BAMBANG SADEWO bsadewo@metroland.com Alcohol misuse in Hal- ton is putting a strain on the region's health-care system, a strain on par with COVID-19 when it comes to hospitalizations and deaths. That's according to a re- cently-released Halton Re- gion Public Health report on alcohol and health pre- sented to the regional council. ie report says that there were 1,765 hospital- izations and 412 deaths due to COVID-19 over the past three years, whereas the estimated number of hos- pitalizations and deaths at- tributable to alcohol in a ‘ee-year period among residents aged 15 and over was 7 184 and 375, respec- a is apparent that alco- hol consumption contrib- utes to significant health- are utilization and causes significant mortality, all of which is preventable," the report states. Hamidah Megha ani, Hal- ton's medical officer of health, said at the meeting that alcohol- related hospi- talizations could be due to a mix of situations, includ- ing acute injuries fort those that end up in me! gency room — as as well as the significant act al- cohol has on chronic dis- eases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. in the report, Public Health ( Ontario esti- mates that there are 5,546 emer} ent visits attributable to alco- Michelle Cooper Insurance and Financial Servic Michelle Cooper, Agent 1545 Cornwall Rd Unit 43 Oakville ON 905-826-4900 michellecooper.ca es Inc. Joy Report details alcohol consumption in Halton. among Halton resi- dents aged 15 and older in an average year. A more detailed report on the incidence of cancer in Halton will be presented to council in May. ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN HALTON Citing data from the 2019/20 Canadian Commu- We're celebrating 30 years of service this month, and we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone we've had the pleasure of serving over the years. We are looking forward to many more years of supporting you and protecting the things you hold dear. O Desjardins Insurance The survey also reveals that 14 per cent of Halton residents aged 12 and older fees ain engaging in hear (within the survey oeenioes — defined as having at least five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for ‘women, on one occasion, at waste once a month in the past There was likely an in- cre consumption during the pandemic for nity Health Survey, the re- port says that 31 per cent of Halton residents aged ” and older consum: than two standard cicohol ic drinks per week, which puts them at an increased risk for short-term harms — such as injury and vio- lence — and longer-term harms such as cancer and disease. certain cluding young people and those with mental health concerns or experiencing social isolation, according to the report In January, the Canadi- an Centre of Substance Use and Addiction updated the alcohol gesting that alcohol is ‘considered low for those who consume two standard drinks or less per ile Oakville. Our lav lake! |Rcelaalival week andincreases with more alcohol consumed. ALCOHOL WARNING LABEI | une ‘Kepsinuy, | JeneeR OIAHEO | G Alcohol i is a priority is- a region's pan- 8 recovery plan. the planned ac- tions, the region will edu- cate the public on the new guidelines, relaunch a community action table to address the health, social and economic impacts of alcohol misuse, and work with key partners in devel- ore. a regional alcohol ard the meeting, council members voted to direct staff to send 2 a Jettor | {oF Hal: ton MP: bers Patrick Brazeau aand Robert Black in support of Bill S-254 — which propos- es to amend fret Food and Drugs Act to ing labels on alcoholic bev. erages. MGPG Family Law, Mediation, Wills & Estates Q 165 Cross Avenue Suite 301 Oakville, ON L6J OA9 MAWAnae [ele(—a(elaali leh Acre) & 905-849-3013 woo-uoyeyepisu!