A Nickel-a-Drink for Addictions and Related Mental Health Research

The Liquor Board of Ontario (LCBO) celebrated another vintage year in 2008. Residents of Ontario consumed over four billion standard drinks per year. And yet, not a nickel from $1.4 billion in profits and another $398 million in taxes was dedicated to addictions research and related mental health research.

The Ontario government relies on the most vulnerable and high-risk drinkers to pay its bills. Ten per cent of the people who consume alcohol account for 53 per cent of the total consumption of beer, spirits and wine. More than a third of the population who abuse alcohol are also struggling with a mental illness.

On the other hand, the Ontario government allocates a specific percentage of annual revenues from slot machines to reduce the harms of problem gambling. Last year’s allocation for research, prevention and treatment was $39 million.

A NICKEL A DRINK LEVY ON ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE PURCHASES COULD FUND ADDICTIONS AND RELATED MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH!

A presentation was made on October 28, 2009 to Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions to increase the cost of alcohol by a nickel a drink to help pay for education, prevention and research into addictive behaviours and mental health comorbidities. Residents of Ontario consume over four billion standard drinks per year which means an annual allocation of approximately $200 million to the fund.

Click here for the transcript of the presentation made by Lembi Buchanan, President of the Nickel-a-Drink Research Foundation and Wayne Skinner, Deputy Director of Addictions Programs for the Centre of Addictions and Mental Health.