OPHA partners with many organizations and individuals in promoting healthy public alcohol policies.

Alcohol Policy Network (APN)

Launched in 1995, the Alcohol Policy Network is a province-wide network of over 600 individuals and organizations dedicated to the promotion of healthy public policy with respect to alcohol. The network seeks to:

  • Promote greater awareness of the health, safety and social effects of alcohol-related policies;
  • Increase and facilitate an informed discourse about alcohol-related issues;
  • Enable health professionals, community members and others to participate in the development of alcohol policy at all levels.

Alcohol Policy Network in Action…

  • Host electronic mediums for disseminating important messages about current research, events, policy and legislative changes both provincially and federally;
  • Facilitate a substance abuse prevention think tank and networks, which address a variety of subjects related to alcohol;
  • Publish current research and literature on alcohol policy and public health.

Impact

In the spring of 2007, The Alcohol Policy Network contributed to a framework report released by the National Alcohol Strategy Working Group titled “Reducing Alcohol-Related Harm in Canada: Toward a Culture of Moderation”. This report includes 41 recommendations, which address four areas for action: health promotion, prevention and education, health impacts and treatment, availability of alcohol and safer communities. The framework articulated in this report could better regulate the sale and consumption of alcohol in Ontario.