Figures reveal one in five Kiwis are hazardous drinkers

NewsHub 15 November 2019
Family First Comment: “The number of 18- 24-year-olds drinking heavily at least once a week has increased by a third, to more than 21%. Overall, more than 80% of adults drank to excess in the past year – up 2%.”
And this is – apparently – a ‘regulated’ market, just like they reckon cannabis legalisation will be. Regulated.
And we have a bridge to sell you.

New figures reveal a significant increase in the amount Kiwis are drinking, and it’s causing concern from experts.

One in five Kiwis are classified as hazardous drinkers, and there are calls for the Government to raise the cost of raising a glass.

“Not only are we making no progress, we’re going backwards,” says Nicki Jackson, of Alcohol Healthwatch.

“More New Zealanders are choosing to drink and I’m mostly concerned about the significant increases we’ve seen in weekly heavy drinking.”

That’s especially true in young people. The number of 18- 24-year-olds drinking heavily at least once a week has increased by a third, to more than 21 percent.

Overall, more than 80 percent of adults drank alcohol in the past year – up 2 percent.

Psychiatrist Emma Schwarcs, an addiction specialist and clinical director of CADS Auckland, says the increase is noticeable.

“A few more young people are coming through in actual fact,” she says. “Not only in terms of volume, but actually their severity is a little higher.”
READ MORE: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2019/11/figures-reveal-one-in-five-kiwis-are-hazardous-drinkers.html

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