Álfheiður Ingadóttir
Minister of Health

Opening speech at the Nordic Alcohol and Drug Researchers' Assembly
in Reykjavik, 23 August 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning and welcome to this biannual Assembly of Nordic Alcohol and Drug Researchers here in Iceland.

Addressing the significant social and public health problems caused by alcohol and drugs is a common objective in the Nordic countries.

I would therefore like to acknowledge the work of those that have made this assembly a reality and I must admit, that it is good to see how many of you have taken the opportunity to spend three days here in Reykjavík - learning and co-operating with colleagues and hopefully forging new alliances and acquaintances. 

The opportunity for researchers in this field to meet and share findings and experiences is an important part to our understanding of how to tackle problems caused by alcohol and drugs. Scientific research and the application of its results is needed to help society fulfill its responsibility and take measures to prevent the personal and public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol.

The Nordic countries have a lot in common in this area, both in terms of our current situation, our views and values, and how we choose to confront the problems caused by these risk factors.

And the Nordic countries have been able to exert an influence on alcohol and drug policy in the international arenas. By extending our shared goals and values to international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, our countries often become more than the sum of their parts.

Last May, delegations from all 193 member states of the WHO reached consensus on a resolution to confront the harmful use of alcohol. The resolution endorses a global strategy, urging countries to complement and support national responses to public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol.

The Organization (WHO) states that alcohol is the eighth leading risk factor for deaths globally, and harmful use of alcohol is responsible for almost 4% of all deaths in the world.

If we look at the situation in Europe, alcohol consumption is the highest in the world – double the world average. Alcohol is the second largest risk factor for death and disability in Europe and by far the largest risk factor for young people.

Although alcohol consumption and drug use has been a part of our societies for hundreds of years, many of the complex health effects have only been discovered fairly recently.

Harmful drinking is a major avoidable risk factor for noncommunicable diseases, in particular cardiovascular diseases, liver disease and various cancers. It is also associated with infectious diseases, as well as road traffic accidents, violence and suicides.

Alcohol and drug abuse contribute to poor health in every corner of the world. It is not only a problem for the individual, but for his or her immediate surroundings and for society as a whole.

We know as much. But are we maybe being too tolerant of the role alcohol really plays in everyday life of far too many of us and our teenagers and young people?

In Iceland, the total alcohol consumption per capita has increased substantially – nearly doubled – during the last three decades; from 4 litres in 1980 to 7,5 litres in 2007 – that is consumption of pure alcohol per capita, age 15 and older.

The prevention of alcohol and drug abuse was one of the main target areas in our National Health Plan to the year 2010 where our aim was to lower the consumption of alcohol to 5 litres per inhabitant, 15 years and older, by this very year, the year 2010. The target was considered unrealistic by many, but was sustained for health reasons and increased demand for action to reduce alcohol consumption.

Even though we did not achieve the target we have seen a decline in alcohol and drug use in recent years by young people in Iceland. To make long story short, alcohol and drug abuse prevention will also be one of the main target areas in our new National Health Plan to the year 2020 but I admit that we need to put in place more effective ways and means to reach our targets. We should for example take a tougher stand against breaking the alcohol advertisement ban, that is not being respected as you can see all around you in Reykjavík and even in television and the newspapers.

Guests.

Later today you will have a Plenary Panel on „The Icelandic financial collapse and its consequences.”

One of the panelists is Lára Björnsdóttir, the chair of the Icelandic Welfare Watch that was established in the beginning of 2009 to monitor indication on the effects of the crisis on the population in Iceland.

The crisis has made an impact on our society as a whole.  The government has had to raise taxes and cut down expenses, and although the welfare sector has been spared the toughest choices, cuts have had to been made into our health care system and preventive measures.

The collapse made a steep rise in the unemployment rate. The experience of other countries in similar situations has shown that large and unexpected rises in unemployment, have an effect on alcohol-related deaths - especially amongst people of working age. On the other hand, findings suggest that active labour market programmes, such as keeping workers in jobs and reintegrating them after periods of unemployment – mitigate some of the adverse health effects of economic downturns.

The Icelandic government has already taken action to reduce the growth of unemployment and we are now witnessing a decline in the unemployment rate and in fact much lower figures than were expected at the time of the collapse. A variety of job creation programmes has been set up – especially for young people. We are also meeting the consequences of unemployment and financial difficulties with concerted co-operation and consultation between the state, local authorities, schools and universities, social partners and NGOs.

The government plays a significant role in ensuring public health, and has a wide range of tools to that end. In the beginning of this year the tax on alcohol beverages was increased – in fact alcohol prices have risen considerably since the crash in 2008. This has no doubt contributed to the slight decline in sales that we have witnessed over the past few months. This is in stark contrast to a constant increase in sales in the years before – and correlates with considerable evidence that pricing is an important determinant of alcohol consumption and thus a determinant of the extent of alcohol-related problems.

But the government can also take steps which have a negative effect on public health, despite the best intentions as you will learn later today, from Þorgerður Ragnarsdóttir's study on „Alcohol related mishaps during weekends in Reykjavík“.

Dear guests.

The primary goal of Nordic co-operation on alcohol and drug issues is to collate knowledge and experiences.

Studying these issues in the Region affords us the opportunity to compare our countries both with each other and with countries further afield. In this way, we gain a more accurate picture of ourselves, and also learn from the positive and negative experiences of our closest neighbours.

That's why we are here, to learn from each other, from research and reports and to strengthen our Nordic ties and to develop friendship.

With these words I would like to open this Assembly and wish you a fruitful and enjoyable three days to come. 

Thank you for your attention.

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