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Category: Blog

  • Toxic Liquor Incident in India leads to 42 deaths so far

    When travelling to other countries particularly those in the developing world we need to be careful about the drinks we consume especially alcoholic drinks. This is because yet another toxic alcohol incident has taken place in India this time claiming the lives of at least 42 people.

    At least 42 people have died in hospitals over the course of about 3 days, after drinking toxic bootleg liquor in northern India.

    Police in India have so far arrested 32 people for illegally brewing and selling the toxic drinks to poor villagers who were celebrating a Hindu festival “Dussehr”. In India where there is widespread poverty many people cannot afford legal alcohol, so unscrupulous people make alcohol at home using dangerous chemicals which are fatal when consumed by humans. The alcohol is cheaply made and sold for as little as 10 rupees, making it irresistible to the poverty stricken people of the area who arent aware of the risks.

    Illicit liquor is often spiked with chemicals such as pesticides to increase potency and is laced with deadly methanol. As is often the case with toxic alcohol many victims went blind, this is often one of the first signs of alcohol poisoning, victims seldom survive after drinking this deadly homemade concoction.

     

     

     

  • US President Barack Obama claims Alcohol more Dangerous than Marijuana

    The legalisation of marijuana is a hot topic in many parts of the world and especially in the US, after the US president made a statement that alcohol is more dangerous than marijuana. Colorado and Washington have legalised the sale of marijuana for recreational use and some having been calling for a similar amendment to Australian laws so that marijuana rather than alcohol becomes the drug of choice in popular night spots. People claim that while alcohol abuse makes drinkers violent marijuana doesn’t which may help combat alcohol violence in city hotspots.

    In a recent magazine interview, President Barack Obama stated the following:

     “As has been well documented, I smoked pot as a kid, and I view it as a bad habit and a vice, not very different from the cigarettes that I smoked as a young person up through a big chunk of my adult life.”

    “I don’t think it is more dangerous than alcohol,” he said.

    When asked whether it was less dangerous, Mr Obama said that it was less dangerous in terms of its impact on the individual consumer. “It’s not something I encourage, and I’ve told my daughters I think it’s a bad idea, a waste of time, not very healthy,” he said.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-10/barack-obama-marijuana-alcohol-claim-unsubstantiated/5243462

    According to the experts Obama’s claims that marijuana is less dangerous than alcohol is unfounded. There simply isn’t any evidence to support the claim.

    The article on Abc.net.au looked into and examined these claims and whether there was any fact behind them. They found that these claims were unsubstantiated.

    The article’s writers recognised that health risks were associated with both substances increase with quantity and frequency of use and in the case of marijuana use, the age of first use also affects people’s health.

    The short term health effects of too much alcohol include headaches, lack of coordination, shakiness, nausea, vomiting and passing out. In the long term alcohol abuse can lead to brain damage, heart and liver disease, pancreatitis, mouth, neck and throat cancers and a compromised immune system. Long term alcohol use can lead to dependence, with severe withdrawal symptoms.

    Whereas with alcohol one can control the amount they consume and therefore the severity of its effect on their health, marijuana use, even mild use has been linked to an increased heart rate, low blood pressure and anxiety. Like alcohol, marijuana is not a harmless drug as people mistakenly think.

    In the long run the use of marijuana can affect the user’s brain and lung function, hormone levels, immune system and mental health. The article on Abc.net.au explains:

    “Cannabis use is associated with psychotic symptoms, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression,” according to a discussion paper released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The paper also notes that “long-term heavy cannabis users… show impairments in memory and attention that endure beyond the period of intoxication and worsen with increasing years of regular cannabis use.”

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-10/barack-obama-marijuana-alcohol-claim-unsubstantiated/5243462

    Doctors say that in people who are predisposed to certain types of mental illness, marijuana use may actually worsen the conditions, especially conditions like schizophrenia.So contrary to the claims made by the US president, marijuana is not less harmful than alcohol.

     

  • Young Women Warned to avoid developing Alcoholic Liver Disease

    According to Australian specialists young women between the ages of 20 and 29 are increasingly being treated for advanced liver disease as a result of steady and dangerous drinking since their teenage years.

    Doctors have warned that even professional women are becoming the victims of liver disease and having to be hospitalised for alcoholic cirrhosis.

    According to figures obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of hospital admissions from alcoholic liver disease almost doubled in the 15 years to 2009. The number increased from 2976 to almost 6000 during this time period.

    The following excerpt from an article which appeared on Smh.com.au explains further:

    ”We are used to alcoholic liver disease in middle-aged men but scarily we are seeing a significant number of women in their 20s and 30s in this situation,” Simone Strasser, a liver specialist and spokeswoman for the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, said.

    ”These are young professional women aged 25 to 35 who are functioning in other areas of their lives but are drinking at consistently risky levels,” Associate Professor Strasser said. ”They have busy lifestyles and think it’s not doing them any harm.”

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/alcoholic-liver-disease-on-the-increase-in-young-women-20140210-32cs7.html#ixzz2ttYJCGUT

    The post went on to quote an addiction medicine professor, Paul Haber from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital who said that the increase in alcoholic liver disease, both early and late stage was evidence that young people, particularly women are extending their “adolescent lifestyles” into their twenties. He went on to state:

    ”It’s an urban disease and a disease of affluence,” said Professor Haber, who is leading a clinical trial of the muscle-relaxing drug baclofen to treat alcoholic liver disease. ”Young people have more money and are less encumbered than they were 30 years ago.”

    http://www.smh.com.au/national/alcoholic-liver-disease-on-the-increase-in-young-women-20140210-32cs7.html#ixzz2ttYJCGUT

    Women seem to be especially susceptible to the toxic effects of alcohol because of their weight which is generally lower than their male counterparts and also because they have fewer enzymes to break down alcohol when compared to men.

    One of the trial’s co-researchers Kirsten Morley also said that women in their thirties were becoming susceptible to the disease particularly those who work in high volume, fast paced, traditionally “male” environments where in the past drinking on a daily basis is the norm. Morley went on to explain:

    ”Women often get caught up in what is socially acceptable. They might be drinking to help anxiety or as a social lubricant.

    ”Because people have the perception this is something that happens to old men, there is a stigma attached, which has prevented patients from seeking treatment.”

    http://www.smh.com.au/national/alcoholic-liver-disease-on-the-increase-in-young-women-20140210-32cs7.html#ixzz2ttYJCGUT

    According to Morley most people she saw during the trial consumed at least 6 standard drinks a day, with 4 or more being classified as “heavy” drinking. These people had generally engaged in this drinking behaviour for more than 10 years, making them susceptible to the disease.

    This is yet another reason why Responsible Service of Alcohol is an important requirement for anyone who works in the hospitality industry serving alcohol at a licenced venue. When serving alcohol, RSA staff such as waitrons, bartenders etc. should keep in mind the consequences associated with excessive consumption and consider the role they play in ensuring people do not abuse alcohol.

     

  • Police Warn Residents that Sly Grogging will not be Tolerated

    Police in Woorabinda, the Aboriginal community west of Gladstone and Rockhampton have warned that bringing alcohol into the community will not be tolerated. The process is known as “sly grogging” and is responsible for alcohol fuelled violence and other social problems stemming from alcohol in the community.

    Police have issued a reminder to residents of the area that this practice of “sly grogging” will not be tolerated.

    According to Officer in Charge Senior Sergeant Kris Richards in an article on GladstoneObserver.com.au the police have seized a large amount of alcohol after intercepting vehicles in and around Woorabinda recently.

    The post on www.GladstoneObserver.com.au goes on to explain:

    “Since an alcohol management plan was implemented in our community in 2008, we have continued to step up our efforts to reduce alcohol-related incidents in Woorabinda,” he said.

    “People being found in possession of alcohol in the community continues to be of concern, and we have responded to a number of incidents recently in which people have allegedly purchased liquor in other towns and have brought them into Woorabinda.

    “Sadly, these people are taking advantage of the community. We believe they are selling banned alcohol at inflated prices, and encouraging binge drinking which has a profound negative impact on our area – including violent incidents, assaults and other anti-social behaviour.”

    Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/police-issue-sly-grog-warning-after-incidents/2051718/

    According to Sen. Sgt. Richards Woorabinda Police will be practicing a zero tolerance approach to sly grogging and will be taking action against anyone who brings or plans to bring alcohol into the community.

    Roads around the area will be patrolled regularly and police will be visiting all licensed premises within a 200km radius of the town.

    Sen. Sgt Richards also explained that police are relying on support and assistance of the public to ensure that the community is kept safe.

    The post goes on to explain:

    Sen Sgt Richards said Woorabinda Police had a zero tolerance approach to sly grogging.

    “We will not hesitate to take action against anyone planning to bring alcohol into our community or who is found to be in possession of alcohol,” he said.

    “Our proactive approach means we will continue to patrol all access roads leading to Woorabinda and will continue to work with all licensed premises within a 200 kilometre radius of our town.

    “We value our partnership with the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council and appreciate the support of the Mayor as we continue to roll out enforcement action.”

    Community awareness and assistance from the public is a vital part of ensuring the Woorabinda Police are able to keep the community safe, Sen Sgt Richards said.

    Source: http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/police-issue-sly-grog-warning-after-incidents/2051718/

    The article goes on to urge anybody with information about any person committing alcohol-related offences in Woorabinda to contact police on 4913 2333 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

     

     

  • New One-Punch Laws to help Curb Sydney Violence

    The level of alcohol fuelled violence in Sydney has certainly gotten to a dangerous extent but are the new laws implemented by the government warranted? That is the question many are asking themselves. As servers in the hospitality industry it is important that we keep abreast with any new laws and news relating to alcohol and the consequences of its misuse.

    One of the measures to be introduced is a mandatory eight year jail sentence for fatal one-punch attacks fuelled by alcohol or drugs in an effort to curb alcohol related violence in Sydney.

    The “one-punch” law has been announced recently by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell as well as other measures include expanded Sydney CBD lockout zones, a freeze on issuing of liquor licences and the state-wide closure of bottle shops at 10:00pm. Also the sentences for serious assaults fuelled by alcohol have been increased by 2 years.

    The following excerpt explains more about the new measures from Mr O’Farrell:

    “It is no longer acceptable to go out and drink yourself stupid, take illicit substances, start fights, ‘coward punch’ people or engage in other assaults thinking you [will] get away with it,” Mr O’Farrell said.

    “From the point the legislation is passed, those days are over.”

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-21/one-punch-laws-to-tackle-sydney-alcohol-fuelled-violence/5210740

    The state Opposition says the laws aren’t enough to warrant positive change but families of victims of alcohol fuelled violence, including the parents of Thomas Kelly who died in Kings Cross in 2012, say they are pleased with the measures. Thomas Kelly’s father had this to say about the measures:

    Mandatory is the key word here. The judge has no choice now. It’s welcome news,” Kelly’s father Ralph said.

    “It’s bittersweet to know that the reform will come in shortly, but it’s also still terrible for us as a family,” Mr Kelly said.

    “It’s sad we had to bring in this change and that our community has to have these laws but if that’s the only way we can… make cultural change and social change and stop thugs from hitting people, then so be it.”

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-21/one-punch-laws-to-tackle-sydney-alcohol-fuelled-violence/5210740

    One of the new measures is an expanded lockout zone which now stretches from Kings Cross to Darling Harbour. This means that there will be a mandatory lockout at 1:30am for all licensed premises across an expanded Sydney CBD entertainment precinct.

    Also there will be no drinks served after 3:00am even if the premises remains opened. The only venues exempt from these new laws are small bars (less than 60 patrons), casinos, restaurants and tourist accommodation facilities.

    If you work in a venue that falls within the boundaries of the new measures, here are a list of them to help you keep track:

    • Eight-year minimum sentencing for alcohol or drug-fuelled assaults ending in death.

    • Serious assault maximum penalty increased by two years, with mandatory minimum sentences.

    • On the spot fines for disorderly behaviour increased from $200 to $1,100.

    • Police have powers to immediately ban ‘troublemakers’ from CBD/Kings Cross.

    • Penalty for possession of steroids increased from two to 25 years.

    • CBD/Kings Cross venues to have 1:30am lockouts with drinks stopping at 3:00am.

    • Bottle shops across NSW to close at 10:00pm.

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-21/one-punch-laws-to-tackle-sydney-alcohol-fuelled-violence/5210740

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol Tips: Learn New Flair Bartending Tricks with this video

    Most RSA staff but particularly bartenders often rely on tips to supplement their income and it can be extremely lucrative. So as a bartender, it is useful for you to hone your skills and learn new talents to help you make more on tips.

    Flair bartending can make bartending more fun and can also help you increase your tips. Basically Flair bartending is a type of performance bartending that entertains customers. It is aimed at wowing them with your tricks. Sometimes these tricks involve fire and that can always present danger.

    Watch this video which shows you some new and interesting flair bartending tricks to master

    Link: http://youtu.be/_xVnoaGDmdY


    Dont get caught up when putting on a show, always remember to enforce Responsible Service of Alcohol rules. No matter how busy the bar may be and how “in demand” you may find your skills it is important to deny service to anyone who is unduly intoxicated or those who look underage and cannot prove that they are over 18.

  • Neknomination Extreme Measures

    Some people are taking the Neknominations to the extreme, even coming up with a way of turning it into something positive whereas others are just using it to get publicity and promote irresponsible behaviour as one British student recently proved.

    The video below shows the British student Rebecca Dagley stripping down to lingerie in a grocery store. The young woman walks in wearing just high heels and a trench coat, then removes the coat, strips down to lingerie and downs a can of lager as her friends look on and cheer.

    Rebecca Dagley’s video went viral proving that it doesn’t take much to get the attention of the online masses. The 19 year old student is filmed entering a supermarket in central England wearing a trench coat and high heels. As she reaches one aisle, she strips to reveal she is just wearing stockings, suspenders and purple lingerie and begins to drink a can of lager. The video was filmed by her friends and she is encouraged by them as other shocked shoppers observe. Her friends shout “Go on Becca! That’s it girl”.

    After drinking, as is the custom with the Neknominations, she tells three friends to take the challenge.

    Neknominations have swept the online world having originated in Oz. It involves someone downing a drink in an extreme manner and then nominating others to do something similar within 24 hours. It has been criticised for promoting irresponsible, binge drinking. The craze has even been linked to the deaths of 2 young men in Ireland where it has also become popular.

    Alcohol campaigners are afraid that people will try to outdo each other and come up with more crazy and extreme drinking acts which could be dangerous. An example is a man who drank a cocktail of cider, eggs, battery fluid and 3 goldfish.

    Watch the video here:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XzdykwAEkk0

     

  • Warning not to Drink Excessively

    Many people associate the holidays with drinking and doing so in excess but it is also the time of year when the most road accidents, violent assaults and alcohol related hospital admissions take place so drinkers need to drink responsibly and moderately to avoid becoming another statistic.

    Now as the festive season is in full swing, there has been a call from Tasmania’s Alcohol and Drug Service Clinical Director, Dr Adrian Reynolds to rethink the advertising of alcohol. He says that hospital staff and families are the ones who suffer and are left picking up the pieces when people’s excessive drinking leads to serious injuries.

    The doctor also stated:

    “Advertising and promotion is of concern,” Dr Reynolds said.

    “I think we need to do something about that and we do have evidence of other things to reduce access, reducing closing times for example.”

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-22/the-cost-of-excessive-festive-cheer/5171382

    Dr Reynolds has urged the community to think about what is shaping this dangerous drinking behaviour.

    Sadly the doctor is not alone in his concern as doctors around the country have warned that beds are being taken up by alcohol patients which is disrupting the treatment of other patients with “real” medical issues.

    In Victoria around 30,000 people are hospitalised a year due to alcohol and related implications. According to data compiled by the organisation Turning Point, most of those hospitalised are due to excessive alcohol consumption. It seems as though the number of people being hospitalised each year because of alcohol is growing steadily.

    This issue has reminded me about the importance of Responsible Service of Alcohol because so many of these alcohol fuelled incidents causing people to be admitted into hospital are due to people going out to entertainment districts and getting drunk. As RSA staff we should never be turning a blind eye to the implications of our actions.

    Not only is getting unduly intoxicated a risk to the public but the intoxicated person themselves are more at risk of becoming the victim of a violent attack, as statistics have proven.

    Licensees are the ones most responsible for the behaviour that happens in their venues and their first priority is to ensure that everyone employed to work in the venue, regardless of position are in possession of an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate. Management, security staff, waitrons, bartenders and anyone working at the venue must complete RSA training and keep their proof of doing so on the premises.

    But completing the course is only one part of it, management and staff of licensed venues must ensure that they are enforcing the principles taught by the RSA training, particularly those pertaining to underage drinkers and unduly intoxicated patrons.

     

     

  • National Research Shows Aussies want Alcohol out of Sport

    According to a national research study released by The Salvation Army recently, most Australians want alcohol out of sporting events. In other words most Aussies would prefer not to see alcohol advertising during sporting events but would rather have it phased out of sport completely.

    The Salvation Army commissioned the Roy Morgan run survey of 1001 Australians which revealed that almost all believe that alcohol and sport are too closely linked in Oz at the moment.

    The research was commissioned as part of Alcohol Awareness Week in November. The Salvation Army sees harmful affects of alcohol on the community through their counselling services and programs and according to them this survey proves that the community shares the same concerns.

    Illwarra sporting, academics and charity representatives have welcomed the research findings that prove that at least 67 per cent of those surveyed felt that alcohol advertising needed to be phased out like tobacco advertising was in the past.

    The following excerpt from TheHerald.com.au explains further:

    Sixty-seven per cent of those surveyed felt that, just like tobacco advertising was phased out, it was time to phase out alcohol sponsorship of sport.

    And 70 per cent of people said that the amount of alcohol advertising people under 25 saw encouraged them to drink more.

    University of Wollongong academic Professor Sandra Jones said the findings of the national survey mirrored that of research undertaken by the university, and other institutions.

    ‘‘We know from good solid evidence from longitudinal studies over a number of years that the more young people are exposed to alcohol advertising, the earlier they start drinking, the more they drink and the more alcohol-related harm they experience,’’ Prof Jones said.

    ‘‘Having so much alcohol advertising during televised sport is a big contributor to young people taking up drinking and drinking at harmful levels in Australia.’’

    Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1853637/aussies-want-alcohol-ads-out-of-sport-study/?cs=2452

    The post goes on to express the view of Professor Jones, The director of the Centre for Health Initiatives who believes that alcohol advertising is not restricted to television, with the promotion brands, liquor outlets and clubs occuring through sports sponsorship as well.

    She explained that alcohol is being too closely associated with alcohol which is sending a clear message to young people that drinking and sport do go together. It is implied that if you watch sports, you drink alcohol and if you participate in sports you will drink alcohol and that if you are a sporting fanatic, your will drink alcohol.

    She says that as tobacco advertising in sport was banned sending the message that tobacco and sports do not go hand in hand, the banning of alcohol advertising and promotion in sport should have a similar effect.

    The post then went on to quote the chairman of Football South Coast, Eddy de Gabriele who was also pleased with the research findings,

    Football South Coast chairman Eddy de Gabriele also welcomed the survey.

    ‘‘Why is it that tobacco advertising was banned, but not alcohol – they are both drugs,’’ he said.

    ‘‘It’s a good thing to follow sport, but if it’s tied in with alcohol advertising, then it sends the wrong message that drinking alcohol must be a good thing too.

    ‘‘We have got 18,000 players from five years old all the way up to our league teams, and we needed to send a consistent message to our players of all ages that we don’t promote alcohol or smoking through sponsorship of any kind.’’

    Source: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1853637/aussies-want-alcohol-ads-out-of-sport-study/?cs=2452

     

     

     

     

  • British Study Claims Alcohol more dangerous than Heroine

    A controversial new study originating in the UK claims that alcohol is more dangerous than heroine and causes more harm.

    Alcohol is even more harmful than heroin and crack according to the study published in the British medical journal, The Lancet.

    The experts involved in the study examined a variety of social, physical and psychological problems that associated with drugs and alcohol and the results showed that alcohol caused the most harm to others. Illicit drugs such as heroin, crack cocaine and methamphetamine are the most harmful to individual users.

    The study took into consideration twenty drugs and scored them on 16 criteria, including the harms drugs do to the user and the harms they do to others. The drugs were each given a score out of 100 points and alcohol proved to be the most dangerous with 72 points out of 100. Heroine came in second with 55 points and crack cocaine came in third with 54 points.

    According to the study cocaine and tobacco are equally harmful and the least harmful drugs are LSD and ecstasy.

    The report was made more controversial by the fact that it’s co-author was Professor David Nutt who last year claimed that riding a horse was more dangerous than taking ecstasy.

    There are millions of people who have alcohol problems, in the UK and Oz but because alcohol is legal and easy to access, most people don’t realise that it can lead to addiction when abused and can affect their health and safety. One addiction experts explains:

    But because alcohol is legal and easy to access, many people don’t think it is a problem for them, says addiction expert Dr. Jeffrey Parsons, chair of the psychology department at Hunter College.

    “It is legal and socially sanctioned, so it does not carry the same stigma and issues that illegal drugs do,”he says. “But the negative health consequences of alcohol are even greater than with many illegal drugs.”

    Drinkers tend to equate “legal” with “safe,” but that’s not necessarily the case, says Lebanon Valley College psychology professor Lou Manza. “In the general public’s mind, because you can go and buy alcohol in the store, it is okay,”he said.

    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/alcohol-harmful-heroin-crack-study-article-1.455003#ixzz2sr8GmRT8

    Experts explain that the one major difference between alcohol and illicit drugs is that there is a “safe level” for most people when it comes to alcohol but even one hit of an illicit drug can be dangerous. Men shouldn’t have more 2 drinks daily and women should stick to one a day if they wish to avoid harm, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t drink every day. The following excerpt explains:

    “It’s not the same with nicotine,” Levounis says. “We have not been able to find a low threshold under which smoking cigarettes is safe. There’s no such thing.”

    Alcohol dependence tends to be masked more often than dependence upon other drugs, Parsons says. “With alcohol, someone can feel like a law abiding citizen despite the fact that they’re abusing a drug,” he told The News.

    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/alcohol-harmful-heroin-crack-study-article-1.455003#ixzz2sr8GmRT8