Home Alcohol Deliveries Could Increase Harm, Pirkanmaa Officials Warn

The revised alcohol law will soon allow home delivery of alcoholic beverages, Tamperelainen reported, and Pirkanmaa social services leaders say the change could boost alcohol-related harm across the region.

Maria Päivänen, head of housing and inclusion social services, warns home delivery could make drinking more invisible, hiding problems from relatives and authorities. Sari Mäkinen, director of the Pirkanmaa wellbeing area's social and health centre, says the risk is greatest for heavy users and people with dependence. Officials point to injuries, wounds and a higher fall risk among older people, and they highlight impacts on families and child welfare. Older residents are especially vulnerable.

From 2 to 29 November the wellbeing area is running a resident survey on substance and addiction harms to map everyday problems and guide prevention, the region said in a press release.

The warning echoes earlier Tampere-area residents' concerns that home deliveries could increase availability and misuse resident warnings in July. Pirkanmaa's wellbeing services have also been described as strained, with rising demand for psychiatric and addiction care and long waits for treatment recent reports.