National, international experts gather to discuss Ontario alcohol policy and
alcohol-related harms

TORONTO, Feb. 26 /CNW/ - As the question of how best to deal with privatization of alcohol sales and drinking and driving continue to be debated in Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) are pleased to present the seventh annual forum, aptly entitled Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity.

The event will be held on Tuesday March 2, 2010 at the North York Memorial Community Hall, 5100 Yonge Street / 3 Park Home Ave, Toronto.

Public health professionals, addiction counselors and policy makers will gather from across the province to discuss Ontario's alcohol policy and the actions that need to be taken based on current research, policy, and practical applications that address alcohol-related harm.

This year's forum focuses on strategies for adapting national and provincial alcohol strategies for local impact. Scheduled keynote speakers include:

Dr. Thomas Babor, University of Connecticut School of Medicine and lead author and principle investigator of the landmark book "Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity - Research and Public Policy."

Dr. Maristela G. Monteiro, Senior Advisor, Pan American Health Organization

Other Speakers include:

    
    -  Denise DePape, Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, B.C.

    -  Nancy Langdon, Ottawa Public Health

    -  Andrew Murie, MADD Canada

    -  Dr. Norman Giesbrecht, CAMH

    -  Victoria Van Gilst, Niagara Region Public Health

    -  Susan Shepherd, Toronto Public Health

    -  Penny Nelligan, Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion
    

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, this year's forum is a collaboration of the OPHA and CAMH. Support also comes from the Pan American Health Association, York Region Public Health Services, Ottawa Public Health, Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington Public Health, and Toronto Public Health.

Established in 1949, OPHA is a voluntary, independent organization of public health professionals that provides leadership on issues affecting the public's health. The Alcohol Policy Network is a program of OPHA which provides analysis of healthy public policies that influence the consumption of alcohol.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital, as well as one of the world's leading research centres in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to transform the lives of people affected by mental health and addiction issues. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

For further information: Media: To confirm attendance or for further information/full schedule, please contact: Michael Torres, CAMH Media Relations at [phone] or email [email protected]