REVIEW OF CANADIAN LOW-RISK DRINKING GUIDELINES AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS

This study compared 18 low-risk drinking guidelines that were gathered from Canadian government agencies, non-government agencies, medical b odies, and public and private agencies involved in the treatment of ad dictions. The results show that two sets of guidelines are predominant ly used in Ontario. The formulation of these guidelines was entirely i ndependent and their intended audiences are also different. However, a direct comparison of the two guidelines shows that differences are mo re apparent than real. This study also examines the literature evaluat ing low-risk drinking guidelines. Very little literature exists on eva luating low-risk drinking guidelines as vehicles for primary preventio n and it is not known to what extent such guidelines influence knowled ge and drinking behaviour. Future low-risk drinking recommendations sh ould be evaluated for knowledge about standard drink units, awareness of the guidelines, use of materials and aids included in the dissemina tion program, and changes in behaviour from campaign exposure.