A new report from the Perth District Health Unit says one in 5 residents are heavy drinkers. The information was collected for the Canadian Community Health Survey, which defines heavy drinking as 5 or more alcoholic drinks in one occasion once a month or more. The Health Unit is urging residents to re think their drinking. Some of the more serious risks of heavy drinking include alcohol poisoning, regrettable decisions, violence and injuries from car crashes, falls or fights. Long term side effects of heavy drinking include liver cirrhosis, heart problems and cancer. Women should consume no more than 10 drinks in a week and no more than two drinks a day. Men should limit alcohol consumption to 15 drinks a week, or just 3 a day. Public Health Promoter Annette Hoyles says the guidelines are limits, not goals. And she says you cannot save all your drinks up for the weekend.
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