.................Often, when we think of alcohol related harm, we think of long term harm, associated with chronic alcohol abuse. We think about liver cirrhoses, psychiatric disorders, loss of job, divorce, homelessness etc.).
But, according to the World Health Organisation, 50% of alcohol related harm can be classified as acute harm. This is often caused by people who are not ‘problem drinkers’, people who see themselves as ‘normal’, but who had -at a particular time- too much to drink and acted irresponsibly. Under the influence, they did something stupid, such as driving a car, getting involved in a fight, causing nuisance to other people or having unsafe sex, with all the risks associated with that.
More traditional interventions seem to put most of their energy in working with those people who suffer from chronic harm. I don’t question that. I think it is necessary and worthwhile doing.

However, I still see a major lack in how we handle acute harm.
Acute harm is often managed by generalist, professionals, such as police men, bartenders, ambulance staff, people working in a first aid. They are no alcohol specialists!
Who is assisting them?
How are they trained?
How are they helped to be effective?
How can they play a more profound role in harm reduction?

And what about the context in which acute alcohol related harm happens.
What do we do in that area?
How can we create safer places, where people enjoy alcohol without harming themselves or others?
And how do we reach those people who don’t see themselves as problem drinkers but who nevertheless get themselves and other into trouble after having too much to drink?

Important questions and major challenges for the harm reduction movement.
Can we handle these challenges?
Can we make a difference?
Of course we can and we will!.........................................