Alcohol Harm in Canada: Saskatchewan

Highlights | June 22, 2017 Alcohol Harm in Canada: Saskatchewan Rates of hospitalizations entirely caused by alcohol higher than the Canadian average, varied within the province in 2015–2016  Canada-wide variation: In Saskatchewan, there were 345 hospitalizations per 100,000 population (239 per 100,000 in Canada). In comparison, the lowest provincial rate was 172 per 100,000 in New Brunswick, and the highest rate was 349 per 100,000 in British Columbia.  Variation by neighbourhood income: The rate was 3.6 times higher in the lowest income quintile than in the highest income quintile (863 per 100,000 versus 241 per 100,000).  Variation by geography: The rate was 1.7 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas (493 per 100,000 versus 286 per 100,000). Mamawetan Churchill River Regional Health Authority (RHA) had the highest rate (1,474 per 100,000); this was 7.6 times higher than Saskatoon RHA’s rate, which was the lowest (193 per 100,000).

Similar heavy drinking rate, higher alcohol sales than the Canadian averagei  Heavy drinking, 2014 (self-reported): 20% of Saskatchewanians self-reported heavy drinking,ii compared with 18% across Canada. 26% of males and 13% of females self- reported heavy drinking, similar to the respective Canadian averages of 23% and 13%.  Alcohol sales, 2014–2015: The absolute volume of pure alcohol sold per capita in Saskatchewan was 8.3 litres, compared with 8.1 litres across Canada.

Alcohol policies and interventions with demonstrated evidence of effectiveness in reducing alcohol harm in the international literature  Alcohol control system: There is a low proportion of government ownership of alcohol retail in Saskatchewan.  Physical availability: There are 29 alcohol retail stores per 100,000 population in Saskatchewan (excluding off-sales), compared with the Canadian average of 50 per 100,000 population. The maximum number of off-premise retail hours is 19, compared with the Canadian average of 15.  Minimum alcohol pricing: Saskatchewan has implemented 3 of 4 alcohol minimum pricing policies examined in this report: minimum pricing for off-premise retail, minimum pricing for on-premise sales and adjustment for percentage of alcohol content.

i. Sources: Statistics Canada. Table 183-0023: Sales and per capita sales of alcoholic beverages by liquor authorities and other retail outlets, by value, volume, and absolute volume, annual. CANSIM (database). Accessed April 7, 2017. Statistics Canada. Table 105-0501: Health indicator profile, annual estimates, by age group and sex, Canada, provinces, territories, health regions (2013 boundaries) and peer groups, occasional. CANSIM (database). Accessed April 7, 2017. ii. Defined as having 5 or more drinks for men and 4 or more drinks for women on 1 occasion at least once a month over a 1-year period.  Screening, brief intervention and referral (SBIR): SBIR is included in a mental health and addictions strategy.