‘Research used to defend drinking’

Press, 12 June 1986, Page 31

‘Research used to defend drinking’

PA Wellington If Captain Keith Sunkle had a dollar for every time a problem drinker on the Salvation Army Bridge Programme told him research had shown a little alcohol a day was good for you, he would be able to shout himself a dozen beers. The programme’s director reckons he has heard that story 10 times in the last 12 months. The statement was made by Professor Dick Batt, director of the alcohol research group to the National Association of Retail Grocers. “I am very concerned

about the large number of people who have latched on to this comment, which he has made before, and have used it to help support not a moderate intake of alcohol, but a very large one,” Captain Sunkle said. He described a large intake as about five or six jugs of beer a day. Captain Sunkle does not disagree with the fact that research has indicated a small intake of alcohol each day has been proved to be beneficial. The quantities studied are three single hotel nips of spirit, 750 ml of beer, that is a jug, or a third of a bottle of wine (270m1).

“That is being suggested as safe and beneficial by researchers. There is no proof positive that this is really safe. But we would not dispute it, only because we do not have full evidence to the contrary. “But there are lots of indications that small amounts of alcohol lead to .large amounts of alcohol. That is where the danger is.” In New Zealand, 5 per cent of the drinking population get through 44 per cent of the alcohol available. Another 5 per cent of drinkers account for 18 per cent of available liquor.