Introduction
The concerns about extreme alcohol intake in Australia increased from 26% in 2019 to 31% between the years 2022 and 2023. Regardless of this growing concern, most people were less supportive of policies proposed to decrease the troubles related with excessive alcohol consumption. In 2022 and 2023, alcohol was perceived by people as the most killer drug in Australia. Moreover, as of 2022 and 2023, about 31% (an increase from 26% in 2019) of the people of Australia believed that excessive alcohol intake was the greatest worry for the general community. However, the support for majority of the policies proposed to reduce alcohol intake since 2013 till date has seen a reduced trend. Policies such as raising legal alcohol consumption age recorded a 36% opposition in 2019 and a 41% in 2022 to 2023, reduction in trade hours for all pubs and clubs experienced an increase in opposition from 40% in 2019 to 43% in 2022 to 2023, strict monitoring of late-night licensed premises also
saw an opposition increase from 10.3% in 2019 to 12.2% in 2022 to 2023.
Challenges
Just like the UK and the EU, many cities in Australia have experienced waves of public intoxication resulting from policy variations intended to appeal to adults and youth to engage in social and cultural events but succeeded in attracting youth out for a night of heavy alcohol intake.
“The Alcohol. Think Again” public education campaign was established as part of Western Australia State priorities, Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs (ADO) 2020-2024 to motivate WA to change behaviour in relation to alcohol. It is evident that alcohol is linked with a series of long-lasting diseases, such as cancer, liver disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke and mental health problems, with injurious alcohol use also causing a high demand on ambulance services, hospitals and the police.
Strategies
There has been an implementation of several measures for the reduction of alcohol associated harm by the Australian government. These include liquor licensing and service regimes, sensitization programs, awareness creation on the risks of harmful drinking, drink driving campaigns together with law enforcement initiatives like high visibility random breath testing, responsible service of alcohol training programs, and a series of deterrence, early intervention and action programs. Despite these strategies put in place, there are still a substantial number of Australians drinking alcohol at risky levels, affecting their health and sometimes an extension to the safety of people around them.
Again, the WA government for instance have provided in every region, Community Alcohol and Drug Services to support people with alcohol and other drug issues. This is done through integrated services and partnerships in metropolitan and regional areas. These services are provided through partnerships with organizations such as the Mental Health Commission’s Next Step Drug and Alcohol Services, WA Country Health Service and non-government organisations Palmerston, Cyrenian House, Holyoake, St John of God, Hope Community Services and Mission Australia. The services provide a comprehensive range of AOD services from one location, for people aged 14 years and over, their careers and their families including clinical treatment and other supports, in a free and confidential manner.
Author:
Jane Osei, PhD candidate
Edith Cowan University, AU
Research/Analyst intern
Mentor:
Marija Lazarević, MSc, CEO
MariXperience Ltd.
References:
Alcohol and the ‘night-time economy’ – The Irish Times
National Alcohol Strategy 2019–2026 (health.gov.au)
wa-state-priorities-mh-aod-2020.pdf (mhc.wa.gov.au)
Smoking rates continue to decline while vaping triples, national household drug survey
shows – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au)
