Member States at the May 2008 World Health Assembly have considered the report of the Secretariat "Strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol" and adopted the resolution that, inter alia, mandated that WHO prepares a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol.

Between May - August 2009 the WHO Secretariat produced and sent out to Member States for their feedback a working document for developing a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol. The working document is based on the outcomes of the regional consultations with Member States and consultative process with other stakeholders and contains relevant background information, as well as a proposed vision, objectives and target areas for action by Member States.