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By: Nick Liard

The Sudbury and District Health Unit is taking their stand against the provinces new modernization of beer sales, which would see up to 450 grocery stores carry the alcoholic beverage.

The SDHU along with the Association of Local Public Health Agencies(ALPHA) will send open letter with their concerns, to the community and the premier.

Public Health Nurse, Evan Jolicoeur says in Sudbury alcohol consumption rates among adults are at 84 percent, higher than the provinces’ 78 percent alcohol consumption rate.

Jolicoeur says 43 percent of Sudbury teens aged 12-18 have reported consuming alcohol in the last 12 months, which is also higher than the province, and could increase the more available alcohol becomes.

 Costs analysis will be a focus of the open letter as Jolicoeur says in 2013 the province generated 3 billion dollars from alcohol sales, but it cost citizens 5.3 billion dollars for direct and indirect costs associated with alcohol.