TRURO - A closer look at the affects of alcohol on this community is being investigated.
Truro is working on a municipal alcohol project, taking a closer look at how alcohol impacts the community and what can be done to alleviate the problem.
"We are not trying to bar alcohol. It's not to judge ... but to shine a light on some of the costs that come with it, both financially and emotionally. It's a tool to provoke discussion," said Truro Mayor Bill Mills.
The project includes interviewing professionals in the community, including MADD, Addiction Services, health and school boards officials, to name only a few.
"We do have an alcohol problem in Nova Scotia ... and there's a cost to policing, community services, families and the medical system. At the continued rate, our communities will be unsustainable. We have to get a handle on it and it may take a while but talking about it is a start," said Mills.
"And there's a lot of sexual abuse that comes with overuse of alcohol ... which can result in unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and other issues. And then there's MADD Canada's pointing out that there are 1,500 deaths a year in Canada as a direct result of drunk drivers."
Mills said the results of recent localized studies and interviews with area professionals will be documented in a locally-based municipal alcohol report that will be released next month. The report will also be shared during a community forum that will take place on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Truro fire hall. It will include public feedback and discussion.
The end result, said Mills, could rest in the hands of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. Truro is not the first community to undertake such a project. In fact, Mills was inspired to do a local version of the project after hearing about it being investigated in Wolfville, Antigonish and Bridgewater.
Mills said there are always options to consider, including raising alcohol prices, limiting marketing and purchase times and offer more training for responsible beverage service.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
