In December, alcohol consumption increases and the system company sells over 20 percent more alcohol than in an average month. Up in the north of Sweden, alcohol consumption has increased in recent years and the frequency of intoxication is higher than in the country.
– We need to raise this issue and sort of start questioning why we need to drink so much, says Mats Burman, CAN representative in Norrbotten.
Up in the north, in Norrbotten and Västerbotten, alcohol consumption in pure alcohol from 2005/06 to today has increased in percentage terms the most of all counties. This is according to reports from CAN, the central association for alcohol and drug information.
– In Norrbotten we have a gendered alcohol norm, which means that we have more of a male drinking style that when we drink alcohol we should drink quite a lot, these will mean different damages in different terms, partly we will see it in increased violent crimes and increased illnesses, says Mats Burman, who works at the county board’s social unit and is the CAN representative Norrbotten.
More often drunk
As many as 33 percent of Norrbottnings and Västerbottnings state that they intensively consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. In the country, 30 percent of the respondents drank enough to become noticeably intoxicated.
– Intensive consumption, they want to say that you drink at least one bottle of wine, has increased the most throughout the country and they call for reflection, says Mats Burman.
He believes that the high alcohol consumption in the north needs more attention. Conversations about alcohol need to take place in the workplace and also with patients in care.
– We need to raise this issue and sort of start questioning why we need to drink so much when we do drink alcohol, believes Mats Burman, CAN representative in Norrbotten.
More alcohol in December
Systembolaget’s sales of alcohol increase in December for the entire country. Last year, the increase during the Christmas month was 22%, more than during an average month. Cooperation with the county administrations is something the state system company must start with across the country to reduce the risks of high alcohol consumption.
– During January, all store managers in Norrbotten will meet representatives from the county government and see how we can develop a possible collaboration that promotes public health, says Lotta Filipsson, regional manager of Norrbotten system company.