Experts are gathering in Wellington to discuss the cost of alcohol harm to our country

Police, economists and public health physicians will speak at the Alcohol
Action Conference at Te Papa today.

They'll be discussing how alcohol is putting a strain on police, hospitals
and having a negative economic impact.

Otago University Professor of epidemiology Jennie Connor will be speaking at
the event and says a decade ago it was costing us about 4 to 5 billion dollars
annually.

She says this money's being given away so alcohol companies can make a profit.