Ontario finds itself at a crossroads in its approach to alcohol sales, balancing increased accessibility with the imperative to address related harms.
The province’s decision to allow grocery stores and other retailers to sell alcohol reflects a broader trend toward convenience but raises significant public health concerns.
According to a letter from the Canadian Mental Health Association, recent statistics show that alcohol-related incidents cost more than $7 billion annually, exacerbating government debt and outstripping the financial burden posed by tobacco and opioids.
This trend is exacerbated by an increase in availability of alcohol with 2,135 off-premise outlets in Ontario as of January 2024.
The letter is the result of a collaboration between 15 federal and provincial organizations who are advocating for Ontario to commit to a comprehensive alcohol strategy.
Eric Dumschat, Legal Director of MADD Canada, emphasizes the importance of integrating impaired driving prevention into any provincial alcohol strategy.
While supportive of the broader initiative, MADD Canada advocates for specific measures to enhance road safety.
A study comparing emergency department visits attributable to alcohol before and after the expansion of alcohol sales into grocery stores revealed a striking increase of over 24,000 visits.
Currently, MADD is advocating for mandatory alcohol screening, which would mean that any traffic stop, regardless of reason, is accompanied by an alcohol screening test, helping to clamp down on impaired driving – which Dumschat says is notoriously difficult to catch on suspicion alone.
He says that introducing this measure will reduce the number of impaired drivers on the road.
Dumschat stressed the need for immediate roadside prohibition programs as opposed to a lengthy court process to convict impaired drivers. Such measures, he argues, could alleviate the burden on the criminal justice system while delivering swift and certain consequences to impaired drivers.
This approach has proven successful in British Columbia, where a 50% reduction in impaired driving incidents was observed following the implementation of similar policies.
The call for a comprehensive provincial alcohol strategy is not just about reducing impaired driving. It’s about fostering healthier communities and minimizing the broad spectrum of harms caused by alcohol. The Government of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness identifies the need for investments in substance use services, from prevention to intensive treatment. By working collaboratively with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders, Ontario can develop and implement an effective strategy that prioritizes public health and safety over economic interests.
Written by: B. Shakyaver