RSA Course Online

Author: Peter Cutforth

  • Global Cancer Awareness Drive

    This week saw a global cancer awareness drive which aimed to educate people about the causes of cancer linked to lifestyle, one of the most prevalent being alcohol abuse, others included sugar consumption and obesity.

    The World Health Organisation has predicted that the number of new cases of cancer would rise 70 per cent to nearly 25 million a year over the next 2 decades unless people make some lifestyle changes.

    According to the UN’s public health arm, half of these cases of cancer are preventable because they are directly attributed to bad lifestyle choices. In its World Cancer Report, the UN detailed the need to prevent further cases of cancer rather than trying to cure it which is “implausible”.

    According to the UN even the richest countries will battle financially to cope with the costs of treatment and care for cancer patients when the number rises this high and low income countries are already not equipped to handle the burden – sadly these poorer countries are expected to be the worst hit.

    And according to the evidence, cancer is rising every year. Globally the instances of cancer have increased from 12.7 million cases in 2008 to 14.1 million in 2012. In 2012 there were 8.2 million deaths and by 2032 it is expected to increase by 70 per cent and hit 25 million a year.

    According to the UN the cancers most prevalent in the poorer countries are related to infections such as cervical cancers and a lack of proper screening. But in the wealthier countries we are seeing more lifestyle triggered cancers such as those linked to smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and highly processed food consumption, as well as the lack of physical activity – this is the bracket that Australians fall into.

    Dr Christopher Wild, director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and joint author of the World Cancer Report, said most people were only concerned about whether a cure had been found for cancer rather than thinking about how to prevent the disease.

    An article on TheGuardian.com quotes Dr Wild as saying:

    “Despite exciting advances, the report shows that we cannot treat our way out of the cancer problem. More commitment to prevention and early detection is desperately needed in order to complement improved treatments and address the alarming rise in the cancer burden globally.”

    Source: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/03/alcohol-sugar-smoking-fuel-cancer-surge

    Limiting the amount of alcohol we drink and cigarettes we smoke should be the first step in preventing cancer. Although alcohol in moderate quantities can be good for your heart, brain and bones as research has proven, there still needs to be some self-control – nothing should be consumed in excess, particularly alcohol. And cancer isn’t the only incurable disease that has been linked to alcohol. In addition to the long term effects of excessive drinking, binge drinking and alcohol abuse can have immediate and life-long effects on the drinker, those around him/her as well as the community.

  • Fears that Non-violent Venues Unfairly Penalised by New Laws

    I recently came across an article on Smh.com.au which discussed the so-called ‘epidemic’ of alcohol fuelled misconduct and assaults in particular. The writer of the post questioned the validity of calling the problem an epidemic, providing statistics from an independent report into the 5 year statutory review of liquor laws.

    According to the report there were significant reductions in the following areas:

    ”on licensed premises (-28 per cent); alcohol-related assaults on police (-35 per cent); alcohol-related domestic assaults (-12 per cent); alcohol-related non-domestic assaults (-28 per cent); and hospital emergency department attendance rates for acute alcohol problems (-9 per cent) between 2008 and 2012”.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/sydney-liquor-laws-a-blunt-instrument-that-misses-the-mark-20140201-31trx.html#ixzz2sRJNO0Ai

    Much of the fuss surrounding alcohol fuelled issues is related to cowardly one-punch incidents such as the one that resulted in the death of Daniel Christie on New Year’s Eve. Not too long ago another teen lost his life after being assaulted in Kings Cross, Thomas Kelly. These 2 deaths certainly indicated a serious problem which needed attention but many believe that Barry O’Farrell’s tough new laws will not achieve this.

    Many people believe that the measures are penalising responsible drinkers along with the problematic ones.

    The writer of the article on Smh.com.au detailed the side effects of implementing the new measures such as the lockouts and last drinks calls. Certain musical genres thrive only after dark and these musicians as well as their fans will be negatively affected and unfairly so.

    The article goes on to detail some of the other “injustices” of the measures:

    There seems an injustice that a venue supporting late-night entertainment, which has worked hard to keep its liquor licence without a mark to its name, should face the same fate as those venues proven to attract and service the violent and unsociable characters responsible for this debate.

    It is quite clear that there is a disconnect between young people and those changing the laws.

    Simon Caldwell has worked as a DJ for 20 years and has become somewhat of an icon of Sydney’s electronic music scene.

    Caldwell states the obvious fact that people want to go out and they don’t want to have to go home at either one or three in the morning. And should they have to?

    (Read more about the writer’s opinion here: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/sydney-liquor-laws-a-blunt-instrument-that-misses-the-mark-20140201-31trx.html#ixzz2sRJNO0Ai)

    There are also concerns that Barangaroo and The Star are being exempted from the laws which many see as unfair.

    Perhaps one of the most extreme of the measures implemented is the laws that tackle alcohol-fuelled crime, including a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years in jail for fatal “one-punch” assaults where drug or alcohol use is a factor.

    Also venues in the Sydney City precinct will be subject to a 1:30am lockout and a 3am last drinks call. Bottle stores across the state also didn’t escape the reach of the new laws and are now forced to shut their doors at 10pm.

     

  • FARE pushes for 10pm Alcohol Ban

    Prominent anti-alcohol campaigners, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) are lobbying for Tasmanian licensed venues to be banned from selling strong alcoholic drinks after 10pm.

    FARE has made a number of recommendations but one of the most notable is the 10pm strong alcohol ban. The group wants licensed venues in the state to stop serving shots, pre-mixed drinks with more than 5 per cent alcohol and mixed drinks with more than 30ml of alcohol after 10pm.

    FARE made the recommendations to a review of Tasmania’s Liquor Licensing Act which included forcing venues to record alcohol sales data, trading hours and attendance numbers and have the data released publicly.

    An article on TheShout.com.au went on to describe some of the other recommendations made by FARE,

    It wants venues forced to have supervisors from 11pm with a sole role of monitoring responsible serving of alcohol practices.

    The laws should also force venues to stop alcohol sales half an hour before closing time, FARE argues.

    The review is likely to lead to changes to licensing laws.

    FARE also wants more challenging requirements for people to obtain and keep liquor licences, and naming and shaming of venues found to have breached responsible service of alcohol requirements.

    Source: http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2003232/10pm-drinks-ban-push/

    According to the submission made by FARE, stronger controls are needed because alcohol is now more affordable than it has been over the last 3 decades. It is also more available than ever before with alcohol costing as little as 24c for a standard drink in the state. FARE has urged the review to consider these issues relating to low cost, wide availability and the promotion of alcohol. The article went on to explain:

    “Across Australia today, alcohol is more affordable than it has been in over three decades,” the FARE submission said.

    “It is more available than it has ever been and it is more heavily promoted.”

    It said alcohol could be bought in Tasmania for as little as 24c per standard drink.

    “Alcohol has also become more readily available in Tasmania, with the number of liquor outlets increasing by 25 per cent over nine years.”

    “Given the importance of these factors in contributing to alcohol-related harms, it is important that this review considers the price, availability and promotion of alcohol.”

    Source: http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/2003232/10pm-drinks-ban-push/

    To avoid stricter controls being implemented across Tasmania it is important that licensed venues act to prove that these controls are not necessary. The best way to do this is to ensure responsible service of alcohol in venues.

    Licensees need to ensure that they have completed Responsible Service of Alcohol training and that all staff employed within the licensed venue have also done so, whether they are serving alcohol directly or simply clearing tables – everyone from security staff to management and bartenders must be in possession of an RSA certificate if they are employed in a licensed venue.

    The RSA course can be completed quickly, conveniently and easily online. Visit our homepage today for more info.

  • Calls for National Alcohol Summit to tackle Booze Issues

    The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has called for a national alcohol summit to tackle the problematic issues surrounding the misuse of alcohol in Oz.

    Doctors are apparently calling for the Abbott Government to take a stand against what they call an “epidemic” of alcohol abuse beginning with a national summit to discuss ways to changes the nation’s problematic boozing culture – the root of numerous related issues including alcohol fuelled violence.

    The AMA want the federal government to convene a summit to bring together the state governments, local councils, health experts, industry members, police and those affected by alcohol related violence.

    In an article on Smh.com.au the AMA’s president Steve Hambleton was quoted as saying:

    ”We have a major national problem that requires a major national solution,” AMA president Steve Hambleton said.

    ”The NSW Government has this week introduced some very tough and very welcome new laws to address alcohol-related violence on the streets of Sydney, and we now have to look at the broader harmful effects of alcohol misuse in every corner of the country.”

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ama-wants-a-national-summit-to-curb-alcohol-abuse-and-related-violence-20140122-3196w.html#ixzz2rALFEYUz

    He also went on to state that a co-ordinated and nationally consistent approach by all governments was needed on alcohol issues such as alcohol marketing, pricing, taxation, venue licensing and operating hours.

    Earlier this month Mr Abbott said he was concerned about the number of alcohol fuelled violent incidents but also cautioned that we shouldn’t rush into “knee jerk reactions”. He placed most of the responsibility on state governments.

    The opposition leader, Bill Shorten has on the other hand backed the AMA’s call for a national summit. He has called on Mr Abbott to support the call, the post on Smh.com.au went on to explain:

    ”As a community, we must stand up against violence in all its forms and do what we can to prevent it,” Mr Shorten said.

    Labor oppositions in NSW and Victoria also backed the idea.

    Labor’s Victorian health spokesman Gavin Jennings said he would attend if invited.

    ”Labor would be supportive of a national summit to discuss a national approach that deals with the excess use of alcohol,” he said.

    NSW Labor health spokesman Andrew McDonald, who is a paediatrician, said the summit was an excellent idea.

    ”We need to listen to the evidence and develop bipartisan policies,” he said.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ama-wants-a-national-summit-to-curb-alcohol-abuse-and-related-violence-20140122-3196w.html#ixzz2rALFEYUz

    What the experts say

    According to Professor Mike Daube the Public Health Association of Australia’s spokesperson, we already have the evidence when it comes to alcohol abuse, we need to now decide on what to do about it and how to take action not setting up more reviews.

    Although the federal government has placed most of the responsibility on state governments, Michael Thorn, chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education said he believed the federal government should be part of the solution. Sandra Jones, the head of the Centre for Health Initiatives at the University of Wollongong, said Australian culture was too set in alcohol marketing.

    With all of these differing opinions on what the root of the problem is and what actions need to be taken, perhaps the idea of a national summit to bring all of these ideas together is not just a bad thing?

  • Alcohol Fuelled Violence seems to be spreading from Melbourne CBD

    According to new statistics, Melbourne’s CBD is has become the worst place for assaults and violent crimes and it seems to be spreading quickly.

    According to reports the number of assaults has begun to rise outside of Melbourne, with Geelong being one of the most violent areas. According to the statistics violence is no longer concentrated within the Melbourne CBD but has spread to surrounding areas such as Geelong.

    Melbourne’s CBD has been dubbed the “states biggest assault hotspot” but this violence is spreading to other areas more quickly.

    The following excerpt from an article on www.heraldsun.com.au explains more:

    As police look for ways to tackle alcohol-fuelled king hits, new analysis of crime statistics reveal Melbourne had 2741 reported assaults last year.

    But while assaults in the CBD have only increased by 1 per cent in the past year, the rate of violence has started surging outside of Melbourne.

    Geelong has become increasingly violent with a jump in assaults of 28 per cent since 2003, to 1848 reported cases.

    Whittlesea is also on the rise with a 19 per cent increase in assaults – 1453 last year. Wyndham’s assault rate has increased 20 per cent to 1227.

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

    The article goes on to explain that according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare the number of victims of alcohol-related physical abuse rose from 4.5 per cent in 2007 to 8.1 per cent in 2010. Statistics show that alcohol related hospitalisations cost the country up to $36 billion every year.

    In Victoria on the whole, alcohol related hospitalisations have increased by 74 per cent since 2001. That accounted for more than 30,000 hospitalisations in 2010. According to the article other states have reported a similar situation.

    According to licensees, they are doing their best to work in cooperation with police to curb problematic alcoholic behaviour but others have blamed the high density of liquor stores for some of the surge in violence. The article on www.heraldsun.com.au explains:

    Pubs and clubs say they are working with police to curb ­bad behaviour.

    “Violence in and around licensed premises are at the lowest levels in 15 years – this is thanks to the co-operation between hoteliers and police,” said AHA director of policing John Green.

    Gino Vumbaca, executive director of the Australian National Council on Drugs, blames the increasing number of suburban liquor stores for the increased violence.

    “There are three causes of problems – price, availability and promotion. Now when you go out to get a haircut, you can now buy cheap liquor as well,” he said.

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

    According to one government spokesman an increase in police recruitment and tougher penalties for drunken behaviour or breaches of liquor licenses were some of the strategies used to combat this problematic culture and stop the spread of violence.

    Despite these efforts, according to the article on HeraldSun.com.au the “assault hotspots for Victoria 2012-2013” include:

    Melbourne: 2741

    Casey: 2225

    Hume: 1900

    Greater Dandenong: 1859

    Greater Geelong: 1848

    Brimbank: 1791

    La Trobe: 1617

    Frankston: 1522

    Whittlesea: 1453

    Wyndham: 1227

    Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/scourge-of-violence-spreads-from-melbournes-cbd/story-fni0fee2-1226799718151

  • Best Way to Tackle a Hangover this Holiday Season

    With Christmas and New Years behind us most of us will be getting back into the routine of normal life but chances are you may have one or two more soirees planned before this happens and after all that drinking you will probably need a few quick fixes to help to feel your best.

    Although we should be drinking responsibly enough to avoid a hangover, sometimes we tend to overdo it over the holidays so remember these tips to help you avoid that dreaded morning after feeling.

    Because dehydration is the cause of that horrible feeling you get when you’re hung-over it is important to drink plenty of water especially in-between drinks and before you go to bed.

    Instead of the unhealthy and heavy comfort food we crave, have a healthy pasta dish with protein, fat and anti-flammatory nutrients obtainable from garlic to clean the gut and keep the immune system healthy.

    Nutritionists also suggest eating full fat Greek yoghurt to help restore beneficial gut flora in the intestines which are disrupted by alcohol.

    Another excellent “super food” is coconut water which will not only hydrate your body but replenish lost electrolytes while milk thistle tablets will help to detox it. Charcoal supplements are also a good way of absorbing toxins from the gut.

    Remember that alcoholic drinks are high in calories, so if you don’t want to put on added pounds keep track of how many calories you’re not only eating but drinking as well.

    Vitamin B3 is a good way to start the recovery process as it will help break down the alcohol in the body and thereby help minimise the effect of the hangover the next day.

    When embarking on a heavy night of drinking, avoid greasy and fatty foods which are harder to metabolise and break down, they alcohol slows this process even more, causing your body to store more fat.

    According to a post on BrisbaneTimes.com.au which was compiled using the advice of nutritional experts and trainers, this is how you cure a hangover:

    Eat a avocado pasta dish (quinoa pasta, avocado, garlic, Greek yoghurt and parmesan cheese)

    Drink coconut water before during and after eating the dish

    Take milk thistle and Vitamin B before during and after the meal

    Take charcoal capsules to absorb toxins

    Take carnitine and hydroxycitric acid to burn fat

    Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/how-to-cure-a-christmas-hangover-20131223-2zuc9.html#ixzz2oZns8Ods

    Let’s not forget the importance of moderation over the silly season. Although most view it as the season for excess, drinking in excess over the holidays may seem like fun at the time but it can have dire consequences, more severe than just a hangover or some weight gain. Alcohol fuelled sicknesses, diseases, violence and road accidents are also a common part of the festive season, don’t let your new year’s fun be ruined by a tragedy caused by drinking too much.

  • Dubbo Police Break-up Wild Alcohol Filled Party

    Undoubtedly the people most at risk of being the victims of alcohol fuelled harm as well the biggest perpetrators are young people.

    A man was arrested at Narromine after assaulting a police officer and an out-of-control part involving more than 100 people had to be broken up.

    According to reports police were generally satisfied with the behaviour of the general public during Operation Unite but some young people are still exhibiting dangerous drinking behaviour, placing themselves at risk and becoming a menace to others.

    During the operation one man, an 18 year old was arrested after he became violent with a police officer, wrestling him to ground and striking the officer before being taken to the police station. This excerpt explains:

    After striking the officer the man was wrestled to the ground and arrested before being taken to Narromine Police Station and charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, failing to comply and breaching bail for an unrelated issue.

    The man appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Sunday and was given bail with conditions. The officer suffered minor facial injuries.

    Less than 24 hours earlier police were called to a residence in Fairview Street for reports of an out-of-control party and underage drinking. Police attended and found about 50 to 60 teenagers present.

    Officers were abused and bottles were thrown at police. Additional police were called and the crowd was dispersed with no arrests made.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    Orana Local Area Command Operation Unite Commander Gemini Bakos said that the incidents were the only really major concerns during the blitz by police officers. This year’s operations yielded much better results than last year with fewer arrests being made.

    Police in Dubbo arrested 4 people during the operation but not all of these arrests were linked to alcohol. The DailyLiberal.coom.au post also explains:

    An additional 21 officers were on duty between 6pm Friday and 6am yesterday when the operation concluded. During that time, police in the city visited 50 licensed premises and issued four people with infringements for failing to comply.

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    It is interesting that a total of 323 random breath tests were issued and only one person was caught drink driving, this shows improvement in the city in alcohol behaviour and that people are becoming more responsible drinkers.

    Commander Bakos went on to explain:

    “It’s been a successful operation. It’s good to see the public has taken the message on board about responsible drinking,” Inspector Bakos said. “We had a really good police presence and that was effective. It was good to get around to all the licensed premises and talk to licensees and security personnel.”

    Source: http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/1973834/police-shut-down-wild-teenaged-party/?cs=112

    According to the article, during the weekend of the operation across the state of NSW 540 arrests were made and 1062 charges were laid. Common assaults and people drinking past intoxication were the greatest concerns.

    Another issue being tackled by authorities during Operation Unite was drink driving. Across NSW 40.000 people underwent random breath tests.

  • Drink Drivers Arrested During Operation Unite

    Alcohol related violence and drunken behaviour have been getting a lot of attention recently particularly in the aftermath of Operation Unite but another alcohol fuelled social issue which was identified as problematic during the blitz is drink driving.

    The police across Australia, in all states embarked on the blitz on alcohol fuelled misconduct and made hundreds of arrests relating to drink driving, violence and assaults.

    In the WA area of Esperance alone 5 motorists were arrested during the operation for drink driving and while the focus was on licensed venues and entertainment precincts, people getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is another huge problem that we need to tackle.

    According to Esperance police Sergeant Swadkins, officers charged 5 motorists with drink driving during the Operation Unite, designed to heighten the community’s awareness of social issues relating to alcohol. The following excerpt from www.esperanceexpress.com.au explains further:

    The operation was designed to heighten awareness in the community of the social issues that need to be addressed in the community, in particular excessive consumption and risky drinking behaviour, especially among young adults which leads to the risk of injury, assault and other violence.

    WA Police deployed its resources across the state, with a focus on licensed venues and entertainment precincts.

    Sgt Swadkins said police issued five street drinking infringements over the weekend.

    “We had three arrests that resulted in two disorderly charges and one obstruct police charge,” he said.

    Locally, police ran a number of rolling random breath tests to target any alcohol-related crime.

    “It’s disappointing that we had five people drink driving,” Sgt Swadkins said.

    Read more at: http://www.esperanceexpress.com.au/story/1975455/5-drink-drivers-nabbed-in-esperance-leg-of-operation-unite/?cs=1520

    According to Sgt Swadkins police operations will continue to target drink drivers over the Christmas and New Year periods. He issued a warning to drinkers that if they are going to drink, do not under any circumstance get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

    One of the major aims of Operation Unite this year, according to Metropolitan regional officer acting Commander Charlie Carver was to encourage the public to think about their behaviour and whether it would impact them personally in terms of their health, career or family relationships.

    As the Commander explained, going out and having fun is not a problem neither is having a few drinks but people need to stop binge drinking and learn what their limits are and stick to them – not only for their own personal wellbeing but also to be considerate of the people around them.

    The article goes on to explain:

    “Alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour is not acceptable, and it is time for a cultural shift in the way we drink to make our drinking behaviour safer and more responsible.”

    WA Police released its Operation Unite 2013 summary, detailing that state-wide, some 516 individuals were charged with offences over the period, 62 of those were excess 0.08 per cent charges, 66 for drug offences and 65 for disorderly behaviour.

    Read more at: http://www.esperanceexpress.com.au/story/1975455/5-drink-drivers-nabbed-in-esperance-leg-of-operation-unite/?cs=1520

  • Researchers want Community Defender Office to help Fight Bars and Alcohol Shops

    According to a group made up of medical and research groups established in NSW to review alcohol fuelled misconduct and its impact on communities, a community defender’s office is called for in order to protect residents and communities from alcohol fuelled problems stemming from “unwanted” bars and pubs in the area.

    A community defender’s office should be established under the liquor law so that residents, schools and hospitals can fight a flood of unwanted bars and bottle shops, an alliance of medical and research groups claim.

    According to an article on Smh.com.au the number of active liquor licences in NSW increased by 13 per cent between 2008 and 2011. Councils across Sydney complain that the community is locked out of decision-making and does not have the resources to fight applications from companies with money and resources at their disposal.

    The following excerpt from www.Smh.com.au explains further:

    The NSW Alcohol Policy Alliance, which includes the NSW Police Association, Australian Medical Association and hospital and surgeon groups, has called for a defender’s office to be funded through the introduction of annual licence fees for pubs and clubs.

    A report to be released on Thursday at a forum at NSW Parliament has found the community impact statements lodged by liquor licence applicants are often misleading while spot checks by the regulator have revealed many pubs and hotels don’t tell communities – giving them no chance to object.

    A community defender’s office would notify communities of a new licence application, help prepare affidavits and gather data needed to challenge a new licence under complex rules.

    ”NSW communities are demanding a say in liquor licensing decisions but are increasingly frustrated at being locked out by a process that is unfairly weighted in favour of the alcohol industry,” said Michael Thorn, chief executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/push-for-help-fighting-bars-bottle-shops-20131019-2vtja.html#ixzz2iKdVFFSl

    As one member of the community, Kandy Tagg explained, liquor licences arent the problem but the concern is that more big bars bring more drinking, more violence and noise and subsequently more disruption for the community.

    The Fairfield City Council explained that it is extremely difficult for the community to challenge a licence proposal because they often dont have the means to do so and sometimes they arent even aware of the applications.

    It is important that in areas where there is a high density of bars, pubs and licenced premises that Responsible service of alcohol regulations are strictly adhered to because often it is the only defence against the alcohol fuelled problems that communities are so fearful of.

    The post on Smh.com.au goes on to explain:

    Applicants were only required to provide the location of nearby schools, churches and hospitals, not the views of these groups. The only way a community discovered an application had been lodged was if they happened to see an A4 piece of paper stuck on a building, she said.

    Manly Council uses its planning powers to alert community groups if a development application for a new pub or restaurant is received. Any objections go to an independent panel. Cr Griffin said the NSW government should adopt the same approach for liquor licences.

    Residents on Thursday took objections to a restaurant Justin Hemmes plans to open on the Manly wharf to an independent hearing. It ruled the project could proceed but must address noise and environmental concerns.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/push-for-help-fighting-bars-bottle-shops-20131019-2vtja.html#ixzz2iKdVFFSl

     

     

  • End to Booze Filled Weekend in NSW

    Last weekend was an eye opener for anyone who didn’t know the extent of the alcohol fuelled violence across the country. According to the police who embarked on the country-wide blitz last weekend, a person was arrested every 3 minutes across the state of NSW during the blitz on booze-filled violence.

    Senior NSW detectives involved in the blitz expressed their anger at the outcome of the weekend long operation. 540 People were arrested on the streets of NSW and more than 20 arrests per hour were made.

    The operation included a joint effort between police across the country and as Premier Barry O’Farrell explained, the problem in NSW is severe.

    The following excerpt from www.dailytelegraph.com.au explains:

    Senior NSW detectives said they were angered by the staggering numbers, while Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the issue as “urgent” and Premier Barry O’Farrell insisted the problem was a national one.

    But alcohol policy groups said the responsibility was the state government’s and yesterday called for a summit on the issue of booze and violence.

    In a frightening glimpse of the summer ahead, 540 people were nabbed on the state’s streets over the weekend, with police making more than 20 arrests per hour as part of Operation Unite – aimed at reducing alcohol-related crime across Australia and NZ.

    The weekend confirmed NSW as the Australasian capital of boozy violence, contributing the same number of arrests to the blitz as the combined totals of Queensland (395), Victoria (76), South Australia (46) and Auckland (27).

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/alcoholfuelled-violence-on-our-streets-two-nights-of-living-hell-in-nsw/story-fni0cx12-1226783631106

    Violent attacks took place all over the state during the weekend with one man remaining in an induced come after a booze-filled attack near Bondi Beach.

    More than 280 people were arrested on Saturday night into Sunday morning alone and police officers at youth parties were subjected to abuse as youth hurled rocks and beer bottles at them.

    The article went on detail some of the alcohol fuelled issues that occurred in NSW over the weekend blitz,

    In shocking scenes during the early hours of Sunday, a man in his early 30s was bashed and allegedly stomped in a fight with another man outside a Darling Harbour nightclub. He was found unconscious and bleeding by paramedics. The scenes were so disturbing, one distressed bystander had to be treated for an asthma attack.

    In other incidents yesterday, police arrested six men after a scuffle outside a hotel in Oxford St, a man was treated for injuries following an incident in Pitts Rd, a pizza delivery driver was treated after an assault in Balmain, and, in Martin Place, a barman was struck in the head with a bar stool after four men got into a fight

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/alcoholfuelled-violence-on-our-streets-two-nights-of-living-hell-in-nsw/story-fni0cx12-1226783631106

    Premier O’Farrell reiterated that Australia has an unacceptable drinking culture which needs to be addressed. Binge drinking and loading is a major problem contributing to the alcohol fuelled violence on our streets.

    RSA servers also need to be aware of the role they play in alcohol fuelled violence. Enforcement of RSA is vital in bringing down the high number of assaults and attacks fuelled by alcohol.