In reply: I write in response to the letter from Miller and colleagues, recently published online.1 Their letter is an attempt to influence non-government senators as the Australian Government reintroduces the Bill to increase the tax on some alcoholic beverages. There must have been a better way to do this than by besmirching the good work of DrinkWise and its directors.
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- 1. Miller PG, Kypri K, Chikritzhs TN, et al. Health experts reject industry-backed funding for alcohol research [letter]. [Published online ahead of print 11 May 2009.] <MJA full text>
- 2. Toumbourou JW, Williams IR, White VM, et al. Prediction of alcohol-related harm from controlled drinking strategies and alcohol consumption trajectories. Addiction 2004; 99: 498-508.
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- 5. Roche AM, Bywood P, Borglagdan J, et al. Young people and alcohol: the role of cultural influences. An examination of the cultural drivers of risk-taking behaviour and their effects on “low-risk”, “risky” and “high-risk” use of alcohol among 14–24 year old Australian drinkers. Adelaide: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, 2007.
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- 7. Dawe S, Frye S, Best D, et al. Drug use in the family: impacts and implications for children. Canberra: Australian National Council on Drugs, 2007.
- 8. Alati R, Najman JM, Kinner SA, et al. Early predictors of adult drinking: a birth cohort study. Am J Epidemiol 2005; 162: 1098-1107.
- 9. Toumbourou JW, Duff C, Bamberg J. Family intervention in the prevention of drug-related harm. Prevention Research Evaluation Report 2003; 7: 1-14.
- 10. Quantum Market Research. Parents and alcohol (benchmark tracking — March 2009). Melbourne: QMR, 2009.
- 11. DrinkWise Australia. DrinkWise research funding guidelines. Melbourne: DrinkWise, 2007.
- 12. Fager JH, Melnyk BM. The effectiveness of intervention studies to decrease alcohol use in college undergraduate students: an integrative analysis. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2004; 1: 102-119.
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I receive payment from DrinkWise Australia for my role as Chair, and travel assistance to attend meetings (economy airfares, accommodation and travel costs). DrinkWise Australia is funded by the Australian Government and the liquor industry. I have never been employed by or received funding from any alcohol company.