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HomeNewsFormer Provincial Health Officer not surprised by surge in liquor sales

Former Provincial Health Officer not surprised by surge in liquor sales

As the coronavirus continues in BC, many people are coping with the physical distancing measures by stocking up on alcohol and drinking.

According to the Liquor Distribution Branch, sales volumes at BC Liquor Stores have far outpaced seasonal trends.

  • Over the last two weeks, the purchasing spike has resulted in:
  • Cask wine sales increasing by 144 per cent
  • Sales of spirits sold in 1.75-litre containers are up by 153 per cent
  • Sales of beer sold in 24 packs increased by 120%
  • Counter sales at BC Liquor Stores are up 40% for the month.

The recent purchasing numbers has led to the question of whether or not the physical distancing and self-isolation measures put in place could lead to more problems like increased alcohol dependency.

Dr. Perry Kendall is the Co-Interim Executive Director at the BC Centre on Substance Use who recently spoke with MyPGNow.com.

“There were discussions around closing non-essential businesses and there was maybe a concern that liquor stores among the drinking population, which is about 85% of us, that if the liquor stores closed that it would be a good idea to do what we have been doing with toilet paper and that is to stock up.”

Last week, the provincial government named liquor stores an essential service squashing all public worry.

Kendall adds the consequences would have been dire if the province decided to go the other direction.

“If you close the liquor stores you risk a black market, illicit supply, and illegal activity. You also risk those people who have developed an alcohol dependency withdrawal and in most severe cases require hospitalization and that is the last thing that one needs when we are trying to empty out hospital beds for a potential influx of COVID sickness.”

“I believe alcohol is close to being our most popular recreational psychoactive substance and we have certainly over the last 20 years across Canada have increased consumption, accessibility and expectations to use alcohol as a normal substance. I think, as a result, some people have become somewhat dependent, or have problematic drinking than previously.”

Kendall adds while we are living in a chaotic snapshot of time, overindulging on alcohol may not be the best stress reliever.

“It’s not the best way of easing the stress but there is a risk that people’s consumption will go up over a short time and this could have an adverse effect on social, family life or on one’s individual health.”

“People are staying at home and this is a heightened time of anxiety and generally, when more liquor is sold, more liquor is consumed and if more alcohol is consumed then some of it tends to be consumed in riskier or more hazardous ways.”

Kendall also pointed out that if your stress levels reach a breaking point, there’s a much safer resource available.

“There is an emerging network of BC-based mental health professionals that are volunteering to support communities, it’s called the BC COVID-19 Mental Health Network. If you don’t have any other access this might be a good place to make an appointment, have a chat with somebody about managing stress and realizing that increasing alcohol consumption can not only lead to dangerous behaviours but it can lead to increased depression and anxiety.”

Kendall is BC’s former Provincial Health Officer who was succeeded by Dr Bonnie Henry in the spring of 2018.

Since the coronavirus gained traction in the province, over 1,100 cases have been recorded, including 17 within Northern Health.

However, 57% of all cases have recovered (641 recoveries) up to this point.

Kendall believes the response shown by Dr Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix has been nothing short of spectacular.

“It’s been interval, smart, timely, human, transparent and they have answered all the questions along with the whole government managing this down protecting health.”

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