| Follow us on Twitter |
“Drinkwise is an unacceptable source of funding for researchers and community organisations in Australia. It is part of a global public relations exercise by the alcohol industry designed to maintain profits and muddy the waters around evidence-based strategies such as the alcopops tax”, said Dr Miller, an expert in alcohol and drug addiction.
“This organisation is controlled by the drinks industry. It lacks independence and transparency. Despite its claims to be ‘evidence-based’, it promotes ineffective interventions, such as tepid television advertisements, rather than measures known to be effective that reduce profits, such as increased taxes on alcohol and restrictions on pub trading hours.”
Dr Kypri said. “Only last week, the CEO of Drinkwise made the organisation’s support for drinks industry positions explicit, arguing against ‘fiddling with alcohol tax’ and speaking of the industry’s contribution to the economy. This runs counter to a large body of evidence, including Australian Tax Office data released this week.
“Researchers and organisations funded by Drinkwise will risk having their reputations besmirched as its industry lobbying function becomes more apparent.”
Dr Miller and Dr Kypri encourage the Federal government to break all ties with Drinkwise and call for researchers, universities and community organisations to signal their unwillingness to endorse Drinkwise and other industry-backed public relations organisations.
Professor Robin Room, Editor-in-chief of Drug and Alcohol Review, adds that "Miller and Kypri raise an important issue which any Australian researcher thinking of applying for Drinkwise funding should take into consideration".
_________________________________________________
A copy of this article is available online http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/122373295/HTMLSTART
Media wishing to receive more information on the journal or schedule media interviews with the editors should contact Alina Boey, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at aboey@wiley.com or phone +65-96565580; or Michael Hutchings, Editorial Officer, Drug and Alcohol Review, at +61 2 9331 7747 or email dar@apsad.org.au
About the authors
Dr Peter Miller is NHMRC Howard Florey Fellow at the School of Psychology, Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong. He is also Commissioning Editor of the journal Addiction. His research covers. His research covers alcohol and interpersonal violence in licensed venues, treatment outcomes for people in treatment for alcohol and substance use. He has published widely on the role of vested interest in research funding and the ethics of censorship in addiction research.
Dr Kypros Kypri is an NH&MRC Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle working on the epidemiology and evaluation of interventions for alcohol-related harm. He is a deputy editor of the Drug & Alcohol Review.
About Drug and Alcohol Review
The Drug and Alcohol Review, journal of APSAD, is currently in its 28th year of publication. The journal is an international forum for the views, expertise and experience of all those involved in the study of treatment of alcohol, tobacco and drug problems. The journal represents an important source of information to clinicians, drug and alcohol agency staff, researchers, policy makers, and alcohol service administrators. The scientific quality and professional standards of the Drug & Alcohol Review are guaranteed by the editors and a panel of expert peer reviewers.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 350 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Peace. Our core businesses publish scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and websites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.
About Wiley-Blackwell
Wiley-Blackwell is the international scientific, technical, medical and scholarly publishing business of John Wiley & Sons, with strengths in every major academic and professional field and partnerships with many of the world’s leading societies. Wiley-Blackwell publishes over 1,400 peer-reviewed journals as well as 1,500+ new books annually in print and online, as well as databases, major reference works and laboratory protocols. For more information, please visit www.wileyblackwell.com or http:// www.interscience.wiley.com.
Posted May 5th, 2009 by aboey
