Cannabis reform debate overshadows alcohol-related harm - addiction specialist
(WorldNews Health)

A leading addictions specialist says the political focus on cannabis reform is drowning out debate on the bigger problem of alcohol-related harm. According to the annual New Zealand Health Survey this week, one in five adult New Zealanders drank alcohol last year in a way that could hurt themselves or others. Among 18 to 24 year olds, more than 21 percent have engaged in binge-drinking (that`s having six or more drinks in one sitting), up from 16.5 percent in 2012. The head of the National Addictions Centre, Professor Doug Sellman, said alcohol-related harm costs the country about $8 billion a year. `I think it`s particularly tragic at the current time when all of the oxygen...