(Montreal) Quebecers’ relationship with alcohol has changed for the better, although we must not stop raising awareness among the population about good habits, concludes in an Éduc’alcool report which is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
The non-profit organization has also appointed André Robitaille as its new ambassador for the occasion. Since 1989, the independent organization has worked to inform and raise awareness among the Quebec population about the impacts of alcohol consumption.
Thirty-five years later, major advances have been made, particularly in terms of consumption while driving, but also the relationship of Quebecers with alcoholic beverages has changed. Today, 60% of the population reports having a moderate relationship with alcohol.
“There is still a way to go, of course, but if we compare with before, it’s better,” declared Geneviève Desautels, general director of Éduc’alcool, in an interview. However, she emphasizes that there remains 30% of the population who drink more in a risky manner. “We must continue to raise awareness in the right way so that they can make informed choices and not that we are in prescriptive mode,” she says.
There have been big changes in moderation, believes the Quebec organization that is a pioneer in promoting responsible consumption. Mme Desautels remembers archive images which illustrated a trivialization of alcohol consumption and even overconsumption.
The famous image of the beer between the two legs while driving, for example, was “not at all reprehensible” behavior, recalls Mme Desautels. Morals have changed a lot and it is well established these days that when you drink, you do not drive. It is commonplace to have a designated driver, especially for young people who have zero tolerance on their driver’s license.
“We no longer trivialize alcohol consumption to this extent, we are in a culture of moderation,” says M.me Desautels.
She argued that science disagrees on whether alcohol is harmful from the first sip or whether there are low-risk amounts. “That’s why at Éduc’alcool, we say: beyond the quantities, what is more important is why you drink,” says the director.
Tasting a local product, celebrating or enhancing an experience are consumption habits to encourage, unlike drinking to get through a party or forget your mental load.
“We are talking about getting the Quebec population to make informed choices in terms of responsible consumption and we are not in the prescription of quantity, but much more in the reflection of its relationship with alcohol”, summarizes Mme Desautels.
A rise in sobriety
The Éduc’alcool report shows that 10% of the population does not drink at all.
“We have seen it more in recent years, but there is a non-stigmatization of people who choose not to consume alcohol,” says M.me Desautels. […] People want to have a drink in their hand because it’s socially interesting as a crutch, but it doesn’t have to have alcohol in it and we question less and less what’s in the glass of everyone because it concerns everyone. »
One of Éduc’alcool’s challenges for the coming years is to destigmatize consumption. According to the organization, 25% of people lie to their doctors about their consumption because they are embarrassed about taking “too much” or because they have no idea.
The organization also wants to tackle what is on the periphery of alcohol, such as cannabis consumption and games of chance.