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WHO is seeking views and opinions of stakeholders on health problemsrelated to alcohol consumption. The World Health Organization invites academic institutions, research departments, nongovernmental organizations and representatives of the industry, trade and agricultural sectors to express views and opinions to the WHO secretariat on problems related to alcohol consumption. WHO asks for the stakeholders` views on health problems related to alcohol consumption and their opinions on what kinds of interventions are needed at national, regional and global levels to reduce such problems. The purpose of this survey is to provide the WHO secretariat with more information about how some of the main stakeholders perceive the magnitude of alcohol related problems, and what in their opinions are the best ways to deal with these problems. The information collected is not as such intended to develop norms and standards, but may be used by WHO to analyze and report on the views and opinions of stakeholders on health problems related to alcohol consumption. Any submissions may be circulated and made publicly available by WHO, with an indication of the source. Any statements submitted should represent the views of the organization or department to which the respondent is affiliated (i.e. as opposed to representing any personal opinions). Any organizational or other misrepresentation may be checked and publicly reported by WHO. The submissions should be received by WHO no later than 15 September 2006 . They should preferably be done via the web, but could also be sent to us by ordinary mail or fax. Announcement: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/activities/alcohol_submission_announcement/en/index.html Web survey: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/activities/alcohol_feedback_form/en/index.html If the organization wants to elaborate on the views and opinions submitted in this survey, you can send us a position paper. Such a position paper will not be part of the main survey. The disclaimer will still be valid for all documents that we may receive from you. The position paper must be sent by ordinary mail to: World Health Organization, Management of Substance Abuse, 20, Avenue Appia, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. Background A 2005 World Health Assembly resolution on public health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol requests the Director-General of the World Health Organization, inter alia, to draw up recommendations for effective policies and interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm, and to report to the Sixtieth World Health Assembly in 2007 on evidence-based strategies and interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm, including a comprehensive assessment of public health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol. Following the 2005 World Health Assembly resolution, the WHO secretariat has started the consultation process with main stakeholders and organized several meetings and consultations with civil society groups, scientists and representatives of the industry, trade and agricultural sector. Another step in this consultation process is planned to take place on 9 October 2006, when representatives from selected academic institutions, civil society groups and alcohol industry and trade groups will be invited to WHO in Geneva to present their views and positions on public health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol and effective policies and interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm. The selection of participants to the meeting will be partly based on the submissions received in this survey. Related links: 2005 World Health Assembly resolution: http://www.who.int/nmh/WHA58.26en.pdf WHO activities following the resolution: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/activities/public_health_alchol/en/index.html Rowdy Yates Senior Research Fellow Scottish Addiction Studies Department of Applied Social Science University of Stirling E: [log in to unmask] T: 01786 - 467737 W: http://www.dass.stir.ac.uk/sections/scot-ad/ -- The University of Stirling is a university established in Scotland by charter at Stirling, FK9 4LA. Privileged/Confidential Information may be contained in this message. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such person), you may not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone and any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is prohibited and may be unlawful. In such case, you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply email. Please advise immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email for messages of this kind.