26.09.2024 - The ongoing process of shaping a new alcohol policy for Greenland is a significant step toward addressing the profound societal challenges linked to alcohol consumption. The initiative, driven by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO/Europe and other key partners, reflects Greenland's commitment to reducing alcohol-related harm and building a safer and healthier society, particularly for children.
The groundwork for this policy was laid out in a seminar titled “Recommendations for a new alcohol policy for Greenland,” held on September 18-19, 2024. This event, co-hosted by the Minister of Health, Agathe Fontain, and WHO/Europe, focused on developing evidence-based recommendations for a multi-year national alcohol policy. The seminar brought together policy-makers, community leaders, and health experts to explore how alcohol consumption affects all facets of Greenlandic society, with an emphasis on its impact on children during their critical developmental stages, particularly the first 1,000 days of life.
Agathe Fontain, in her opening remarks, underscored the urgency of tackling alcohol-related harm. "Alcohol consumption affects all of society and especially our children," she stated, emphasizing the need for a long-term, comprehensive policy to protect future generations. The seminar aimed not only to produce actionable recommendations but also to foster a sense of ownership among stakeholders at all levels, equipping decision-makers with the necessary tools and insights to implement these recommendations effectively.
Discussions during the seminar explored several key themes, including the societal consequences of alcohol, the links between alcohol consumption and trauma, and how adult drinking can violate children's rights. Participants also examined existing successful interventions from Greenland and beyond, aiming to ensure that proposed solutions are culturally tailored to Greenland's unique context. Importantly, the recommendations are expected to be finalized and presented by spring 2025, after broad consultations with multiple sectors and stakeholders.
On the same day the seminar began, Sermitsiaq.gl published an article emphasizing the connection between alcohol and public health, reiterating the message that "the less alcohol one consumes, the lower the risk of harm." The Alcohol and Narcotics Council (ANR) of Greenland referenced the updated Canadian guidelines, which stress that any alcohol intake carries a risk, thereby advising that the safest approach is minimal consumption. Ivalu Katajavaara Seidler, the head of ANR and a researcher at the University of Southern Denmark and Ilisimatusarfik, highlighted the importance of controlling binge drinking, which she noted is linked to a range of social and public health issues, including violence, sexual abuse, and suicides. "We know that binge drinking is a significant risk factor in suicides, where alcohol intoxication often precedes such events," she stated. She further emphasized that preventing binge drinking is crucial to any effort to reduce suicides in Greenland.
As the seminar unfolded, broader societal discussions were also taking place. Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish Parliament representing Greenland, raised concerns about the impact of alcohol-related crime. She called for more transparent data on the issue, highlighting that alcohol is implicated in approximately half of the crimes handled by Greenland's police force. Chemnitz pushed for a public debate on the subject, urging Greenlanders to break the taboo surrounding alcohol misuse. "There is a huge link between alcohol consumption and crime, particularly violent crime, sexual abuse, and assaults on children," Chemnitz said. "To tackle this, we need to be able to openly discuss our alcohol consumption."
The discussions during the seminar were particularly poignant given the backdrop of shifting alcohol consumption patterns in Greenland. A report by Greenland's statistical agency, referenced in an Sermitsiaq.gl article on September 13, noted that while alcohol consumption had decreased significantly over the past 30 years, with a 28.7% drop in the import and production of alcohol since 1994, alcohol-related harms remain a serious concern. This paradox was at the heart of Fontain’s push for a new policy. As she noted in a follow-up interview with KNR on September 25, "Even though fewer people have unhealthy habits, the consequences are still enormous. It hits children hard, healthcare costs are high, and it affects our entire society."
The economic costs of alcohol misuse are a significant burden on Greenland, Fontain added, underscoring the need for a long-term policy rooted in the best available research. The minister called for renewed debate on the issue and stressed that while alcohol consumption might be declining, the damage it causes is still far too great.
The seminar and the surrounding discussions represent an important moment in Greenland’s journey toward a more comprehensive alcohol policy. While the reduction in alcohol consumption is encouraging, it is clear that alcohol-related harm remains a pressing issue, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society—children. The development of a national alcohol policy is a critical opportunity for Greenland to address these harms and to shape a future where the well-being of all citizens, especially the youngest, is prioritized. The collaboration between WHO/Europe, Greenland’s Ministry of Health, and various societal partners will be key in ensuring that the final recommendations are both effective and culturally appropriate, ultimately creating a safer and healthier Greenland.
Kommentare