Originally published January 19 2006
Canadian researchers release statistics on the deadly consequences of alcohol abuse
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A new study from the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research has found that five times more Canadians die from alcohol-related causes than all other drugs combined.
Canadians are drinking more and dying from alcohol-related causes at a far greater rate than from drug abuse, says a new study from the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research.
Statistics suggest alcohol consumption in Canada has risen by 13 per cent since 1997, a co-author of an addiction research survey said yesterday.
"Nearly 5,000 Canadians die each year prematurely from the effects of alcohol, which is five times greater than all the illicit drug deaths put together," said Tim Stockwell, director of the research centre and co-author of the report, Patterns of Risky Alcohol Use in B.C. and Canada.
The centre used questions posed in the 2004 Canadian Addiction Survey and focused on trying to answer the question: To what extent is increasing drinking happening within low-risk guidelines, as defined by Canadian health authorities?
Low-risk drinking is considered to be no more than two standard drinks a day for men and women; no more than nine per week for women and 14 for men.
the great majority is not consumed in a way that's consistent with health and safety guidelines," said Dr. Stockwell.
To get that benefit, Dr. Stockwell said a woman should have no more than half a drink a day; a man, no more than two.
There are no current figures for the socio-economic costs of excessive drinking.
But the Victoria-based centre said 1992 figures pegged the cost to the economy at about $10-billion through lost productivity and health costs.
Dr. Stockwell also had some comments on the drinking habits and repercussions of rich and poor people drinking.
"One pattern in common is that poorer people can't afford to drink they way rich people do," he said.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml