Pilbara is one of those places that is battling to come to terms with alcohol abuse and its effects on the community. I recently came across an article on Abc.net.au which discussed the problem and why legislation is being passed which would prohibit some communities from obtaining alcohol at all.

The article explained the damage done by alcohol from the perspective of a chief executive of the Bloodwood Tree Association, Bon Neville. Neville in the article explains how his organisation sees at least 80 people a week coming in to use the sobering up service which he runs. The organisation offers drug and alcohol counselling to the community by a team of dedicated community service workers. Some of the communities the organisation offers their services to are Yandeyarra, Marble Bar and Warralong.

Services such as the Bloodwood Tree Associated are much needed because the level of alcohol abuse in Pilbara has been described as alarming, the reason for the new legislation.

According to a report that was released last year, alcohol was shown to be a factor in nearly 77 per cent of all domestic assaults in the West Pilbara. The report also indicated that Pilbara residents were almost 3 times more likely to be involved in an assault (presumably related to alcohol) than people in other parts of the state. The problem of drivers driving over the legal alcohol limit was also a huge problem in the area.

Not only were the people in the region more liable to sustain immediate harm, the report showed they were also twice as likely to be diagnosed with alcohol liver cirrhosis and 3 times more likely to have a stroke.

The report’s release resulted in new liquor restrictions being impose on 18 towns in the region.

The article also went on to explain that new legislation may soon be passed which would change things in the remote Warralong settlement which would make it an alcohol-free community. The legislation would dictate that the residents of the town would not be able to consume, possess or supply alcohol within a 20km radius of the settlement. These changes could come into effect as soon as the end of this month.

The article on Abc.net.au went on to explain:

The former officer-in-charge of the nearby Marble Bar police station Sergeant Peter Vale, says he was approached about a year ago by concerned elders in Warralong who were already imposing the restrictions themselves.

He says the number of police call-outs has already dropped since then.

“There were all sorts of issues, mainly alcohol issues, a number of assaults, woundings and things like that where people were getting intoxicated and females were getting bashed by their partners and sometimes fairly serious offences,” he said.

“If there was alcohol in the community, it was very difficult to control.

“It was just mayhem out there with drunks walking around everywhere and kids not being looked after or not going to school.

“I believe it’s definitely reduced the amount of violence and domestic violence occurring.”

Mr Waldron says if the Governor, Malcolm McCusker, signs off on the legislation, Warralong could officially be dry by the end of the month.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-06/election-live3a-the-final-day/4939722