Will DrinkWise truly act independently to reduce alcohol-related harm?
The Australian Government recently awarded $5 million to “DrinkWise” to educate the public about responsible drinking.1 DrinkWise is a putatively independent body that was originally funded by the alcohol industry, whose representatives occupy six of its 12 board positions.2 DrinkWise’s stated mission is to change the “drinking culture” of Australia; its slogan is: “Moderation is always in good taste”.
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- 2. Drinkwise Australia. Foundations for change [promotional brochure]. 2006. http://www.drinkwise.com.au/about/FoundationsforChange.aspx (accessed Nov 2006).
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- 12. Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. National Alcohol Strategy 2006–2009: towards safer drinking cultures. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, 2006. http://www.alcohol.gov.au/internet/alcohol/publishing.nsf/Content/nas-06-09 (accessed Sep 2006).
We would like to acknowledge the assistance of Sarah Yeates in locating literature cited in this article.
Wayne Hall is funded by an Alcohol Research and Education Fund grant to study the cost-effectiveness of alcohol control policies. Robin Room receives Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation funding for the Australian Education and Research Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre.