Background -

Respondent's name:	ilse De Maeseneire
Respondent's country:	Belgium
Respondent's e-mail address:	ilse.demaeseneire@vad.be
Respondent's telephone number:	02/423.03.46
Respondent's fax number:	02/423.03.34
Respondent's present work:	No data entered
Organisation, position, address (name and number of street, postal code, town):	VAD Vanderlindenstraat 15 1030 Brussel ww.vad.be
Organisation website:
Are you a government employee?
Professional qualifications:	No data entered
Number of years in employment in your professional area:	No data entered
Self-rating of expertise level in the area of alcohol control policy in your country (1 is slightly conversant, 10 is fully conversant): 7
Self-rating of expertise level in the area of the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in your country (1 is slightly conversant, 10 is fully conversant): 10
If you are answering for a jurisdictional region rather than as a country as a whole, which jurisdictional region is it?	Flemish community
If this questionnaire was completed with the collaboration of other people, provide organisational reference(s) for each participant.
Provide organisational reference(s) for nation-wide and/or regional coalitions (task forces, action groups, collaborative bodies) in the arena of alcohol control policy.
Other background information:	Population size of the country/region: 6 mio

Politics, policies and priorities -

Do relevant politicians/policy makers refer to alcohol control policy in a manner that suggests it is a priority area?

Yes, in documents

Document references:
Proposition of resolution concerning alcohol use and minors (Doc 51 1107/007)
Proposition to change the law of december 1983 concerning the permits and the sale of spirtis. To forbit the sale of alcoholic beverages to - 16 years old

Do relevant politicians/policy makers refer to the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in a manner that suggests it is a priority area?

Yes, in documents

Document references:
Policy note welfare, health and equal opportunities 2002
Policiy document 2000-2004: welfare, health and equal opportunities
Policynote 2004-2009
Prevention policy of substance use 2003-2004
Coalition agreement 2004
Welfare, health, equal opportunities in perfect harmony: a symphony

In your opinion, taking into account everything you know, what level of real priority does the present government place on alcohol control policy? (1 is low priority, mostly rhetoric; 10 is high priority, much action)

5

In your opinion, taking into account everything you know, what level of real priority does the present government place on the prevention of the harm done by alcohol? (1 is low priority, mostly rhetoric; 10 is high priority, much action)

7

What is the recent trend (past several years) in resource allocation to alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol?

No or little change in resources

What was the amount of funds allocated to alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol in the most recent national budget (Euro):	No data entered
Budget year:	No data entered

National level, governmental policy documents on alcohol policy and on preventing the harm done by alcohol been published in the following areas:

Drinking and driving. Document references: Report of the committee of the states general concerning the route safety: alcohol and illegal drugs BOB-campagne Availability of alcohol, including licensing. Document references: Triennial report of the health policy cel 2001-2002-2003 Sales to minors. Document references: Triennial report of the health policy cel 2001-2002-2003

Regional level, governmental policy documents on alcohol policy and on preventing the harm done by alcohol have been published in the following areas:

Non-governmental (private enterprise, research institute, NGO, etc.) policy documents on alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol have been published in the following areas:

Drinking and driving. Document references: Actions responsible young drivers Flemish community Education and public awareness. Document references: A global Flemish drugspolicy: memorandum for the new Flemish government (+dossier) A local alcohol- and drugpolicy: A global aproach A drugpolicy on schools: discussionnote Drugs on the move, youthwork An alcohol- en drugpolicy in your compagny 'A ticket' Reducing harm in drinking environments. Document references: Partywise Help and treatment for alcohol problems. Document references: A global Flemish drugspolicy: memorandum for the new Flemish government (+dossier)

Name up to five of the most senior government officials with responsibility to oversee/manage alcohol control policy and the prevention of the harm done by alcohol. Organisational references: Cabinet du Ministre des Affaires Sociales et de la Santé Publique Cel gezondheidsbeleid drugs FOD Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de Voedselketen en Leefmilieu, Directoraat-generaal Organisatie Gezondheidszorgvoorzieningen, Cel gezondheidsbeleid drugs Kabinet van de Vlaamse minister van Welzijn, Volksgezondheid en Gezin, Luc Vuylsteke de Laps Ministerie van Vlaamse Gemeenschap

Evaluation -

Are national alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol policies evaluated and reported?

Yes

Document references:
Evaluation of the BOB campaign

Monitoring and/or surveillance -

Are national alcohol policy monitoring and/or surveillance activities published?

Yes

Document references:
Schoolsurvey of Flemish pupils: 2003-2004
Foundation Rodin survey (ULB) concerning drugsuse of Belgium people: results
Survey concencerning tabac, alcohol, medication, drugs and gambling in pupils of second and third grade of secondary schools.
ESPAD: The ESPAD Report 2003. Alcohol and other Drug use among students in 35 European Countries.
HBSC study: temporary report on young people and health 1990-2002. University of Ghent
Preventie van alcohol- en andere drugproblemen: monitoring van activiteiten: rapport 2003
Flemish registration of alcohol and drugsuse: 1998
Figures 2003 VVBV (Flemish centres for treatment of drugproblems)

Knowledge development -

Provide organisational reference(s) for the principal bodies (e.g. academic bodies, public health laboratories, agencies, government units) that are involved in developing the knowledge base for alcohol control and prevention policies. Organisational references: Belgische vereniging voor Alcohologie Hoger Instituut voor de Arbeid (HIVA) Université Libre de Bruxelle Faculté de Médecine Universiteit Antwerpen Vakgroep Sociale geneeskunde Universiteit Gent Vakgroep maatschappelijke gezondheidszorg Vereniging voor Alcohol- en andere Drugproblemen Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Wetenschappelijke vereniging voor huisartsen (WVVH)

Implementation -

Provide organisational references for the principal bodies (main providers) that are involved in implementing intervention programmes and other actions for alcohol control policy. Organisational references: Centra voor geestelijke gezondheidszorg Provinciaal verantwoordelijke alcohol en drugs

Information dissemination -

Provide organisational references for the principal bodies that are involved in information dissemination and other actions to keep health care professionals informed about managing hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence. Organisational references: Vereniging voor Alcohol- en andere Drugproblemen Wetenschappelijke vereniging voor huisartsen (WVVH)

Programmes -

How available are programmes for preventing the harm done by alcohol? Provide document reference(s) for some of the key programmes that exemplify high quality. (1 is not available; 5 is widely available)
Public education through mass media	3
Comprehensive community based	4
Home/family	4
School	5
College	3
University	3
Work place	5
Primary health care	4
Hospital/clinic	1
Internet	5
Social welfare and youth services	4
Custodial settings (prisons, probation, etc.)	2
Other:
Youthwork	4
Recreational setting	4

Professional workforce -

Is higher education in alcohol control policy and/or the prevention of the harm done by alcohol available from at least one institution of higher education? No

Funding -

Are funds dedicated to alcohol control policy and programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol clearly identifiable in the most recent national budget?

Yes

The arena/activities are indicated for which earmarked funds are provided:

Non-governmental Centres (s) and/or institutes Document references: Convenant VAD - Flemisch community

Are funds dedicated to alcohol control policy and/or programmes to prevent the harm done by alcohol clearly identifiable in the budgets of non-governmental institutions (foundations, private institutes, welfare societies, professional groups, etc, associations)?

No

The arena/activities are indicated for which earmarked funds are provided:

Personal evaluation of the state of the field -

List up to five key recent advances in your country related to alcohol control policy:

- The maximum of 0.08 Blood alcohol content changed (in service 01-12-1994, KB 1994-11-21) into a maximum of 0.05 BAC. Is a change of the law 16/03/1968: traffic law (16 MAART 1968. - Wet betreffende de politie over het wegverkeer) - The definition of spirits changed in 1996 (KB 27/11/1996, BS 24/12/1996) drastic. Instead of all products above 22° it changed into a complex definition (derived from the tax-law (KB 29/12/1992 BS : 31/12/1992). · All products of GN-code 2207 en 2208 which have an alcohol content of more than 1.2% vol. · Some products of GN-code 2204, 2205 and 2206 which have an alcohol content more than 22% vol. · Drinkable spirits (whether or not in a solution). Is a change of the law 28/12/1983: spirit law (28 december 1993. – Wet betreffende het verstekken van sterke drank en betreffende het vergunningsrecht, BS 30/12/1993) - Flemish law ‘gecoördineerde decreten betreffende de radio-omroep en de televisie van 25 januari 19995 (artikel 81)’ gives specific criteria for advertisment of alcohol on radio and television: · Cannot have young people as a target or can’t show young people who drink alcohol · No link with enhancement of physical performance or with driving a motorized vehicle · Giving the illusion to achieve success on sexual or social level · Cannot give the suggestion that alcohol has therapeutic qualities (stimulating, calming / stressreducing capacities) · Can’t encourage heavy drinking or counter wise suggest that moderate drinking is not don · They can’t promote a high alcohol volume as a positive quality - Recently the law of 7/02/2003 (enforced since 01/03/2004) and the implementing orders increased the fines. · >0.5<0.8 %: 137,50€ - 2750€ (immediate collection 137.50 €) · >0.8%: 1.1..€ - 11.000€ I s a change of the Traffic law (16 maart 1968) - Recently there are a number of new laws discussed in parliament: off-premise selling of alcohol to -16 years old, advertisment, labeling.

List up to five key recent advances in your country related to the prevention of the harm done by alcohol:

- Information / sensibilisation: Since 2001 the VAD launched the ‘alcohol bekijk het eens nuchter’campaign. Over several years different target groups are reached and various aspects are taken into consideration. - Since 2001 ‘a cool world’ reaches the 12-16y. ·Website (information, self test, knowledge testing contest…) ·Leaflet concerning alcopops ·Banners, posters, stickers Since 2002-2003 ‘Gratis drank’ 17-25y (‘Free drinks’). ·Website (short term consequences of alcohol misuse: work, driving, sex,…) ·Cartoon booklet ·Posters, stickers, card game,… ·Contest ·Scientific documents eg : research concerning alcohol use and age In 2004 ‘Boodschap in een fles’ (Message in a bottle) 26-45y ·Website (different targetgroups: problem drinkers, sport, women, work) ·Posters, brochures, stickers, CD-rom - Development of concepts: eg. prevention program for vulnerable target group (children of alcoholics). Development of a training program for children and adolescents + implementation - consult and training of inclusive prevention : - for key persons in different sectors of society (schools, workplace,….). - Primary health care workers, specialized AOD workers/counselors - Networking / structured and co-ordinated approach: implementation via a local alcohol and drug policy

List up to five key barriers/obstacles/issues that stand in the way of achieving, in your country, action on alcohol control policy:

- Lack of national action plan + level of Flemish community - Complex political structure Belgium (federal – communities) - Lack of political willpower - Lack of control on existing legislation - No data entered

List up to five key barriers/obstacles/issues that stand in the way of achieving, in your country, action on the prevention of the harm done by alcohol:

- Limited financial grant - Problems in implementation - limited manpower (prevention workers) - Need for innovative projects (less verbal methods, difficult to reach groups) - Strategy of industry and advertisement directed to young people - Existing legislation is not clear

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key advances that are needed to support implementation of evidence-based alcohol control policy in your country:

- Clarification of existing legislation - New legislation on advertisement and young people - Motivation of politicians and stakeholders in society - No data entered - No data entered

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key changes that are needed in your country, to achieve the advances above:

- Active network on political level - Sensibilisation of politicians - More control on existing legislation - No data entered - No data entered

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key advances that are needed to support implementation of evidence-based the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in your country:

- Continuation of existing programs on prevention (financial and manpower) - No data entered - No data entered - No data entered - No data entered

List, in descending order of importance, up to five key changes that are needed in your country, to achieve the advances above:

- More financial grant - Extra manpower (prevention workers) and coördination - New innovative projects (less verbal methods, difficult tot reach groups) - Strategy of industry and advertisement directed to young people - Clarification of existing legislation

List up to ten persons who you believe are important for action on alcohol control policy and the prevention of the harm done by alcohol in your country.