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  • Policewoman Caught Over the Alcohol Limit: Why Alcohol and Driving Should Never Mix

    No matter what your vocation, drink driving is unacceptable and illegal as one Queensland policewoman has discovered. No one is above the law, even those tasked with enforcing it.

    A Queensland police woman recently crashed her car and as is mandatory, was issued a breathalyser which tested positive for alcohol. Not only was she drink driving she was also well over the legal limit when the crash occurred.

    The 38 year old woman was involved in a crash while recording a reading of 0.198, hers was the only vehicle involved in the accident, a testament to her intoxication.

    In addition to appearing before the Petrie Magistrates Court, the officer may also face internal disciplinary action. The following excerpt was taken from an article on Yahoo News about the incident:

    A Queensland policewoman has tested positive for drink driving after crashing her car.

    The sergeant from the State Crime Command has been given a notice to appear for drink driving while off duty in a private vehicle.

    The 38-year-old recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.198 per cent after she was involved in a single-vehicle crash at Murrumba Downs, north of Brisbane on Monday.

    Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/19195082/qld-policewoman-above-the-alcohol-limit/

    It seems across all states drink driving is a huge problem but there is another issue which may actually be surpassing that of drink-driving, that is drug driving.  According to another post on Smh.com.au, more drivers in NSW tested positive for driving under the influence of drugs than alcohol during a police blitz recently.

    Over a weekend blitz in NSW, which involved 3 separate traffic operations, 5 times more random tests were issued for alcohol than drugs but there were still more people caught for drug driving than driving under the influence of alcohol.

    The following excerpt taken from the Smh.com.au post explains,

    The operations, at Cabramatta in Sydney’s south-west as well as Lake Illawarra and Shoalhaven both south of Sydney, detected 14 drivers allegedly under the influence of drugs out of the 735 tested.

    At the same time eight drivers were allegedly over the legal blood alcohol limit from the 3824 tested.

    “This is a concern that more people are taking the risk of being under the influence of an illicit drug before getting behind the wheel,” Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said.

    “However the weekends operations were just a small sample of drivers.”

    Eight drivers were detected allegedly under the influence of drugs out of the 202 tested by police at Lake Illawarra, four at Cabramatta and two in the Shoalhaven.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/drug-offences-overtake-alcohol-for-weekend-drivers-20130930-2unpd.html#ixzz2gbLxmF6z

    In Lake Illawarra and Cabramatta only 4 people were caught for drink-driving and in Shoalhaven no one tested positive for alcohol despite the fact that 1454 breathalyser tests were issued. Although the improvement in drink driving is good, the number of people seemingly replacing alcohol consumption with drugs is extremely alarming.

    Motorists have been warned that police will continue to be on the lookout for both drink and drug driving perpetrators.

     

  • The NT gets tough new alcohol restrictions

    According to the Northern Territory’s police commissioner, those who are critical of the government’s moves to push through tough new alcohol legislation should consider the women and children who are suffering in the NT because of alcohol abuse and drunken partners and parents.

    The new restrictions include alcohol protection orders which will ban people who are charged with committing a serious offence while intoxicated from possession or drinking alcohol or entering a licensed premises for 3 to 12 months.

    According to the Chief Minister Adam Giles this is significant because a staggering 70 per cent of domestic violence incidents in the NT are as a result of alcohol abuse.

    The orders can be issued to any person who is charged with an offence that would attract a potential jail term of 6 months or more and could be implemented before they are found guilty by the courts.

    Giles explained that if people want to avoid these restrictions, they should simply refrain from “bashing” their wives and don’t drink to such an extent that they end up punching someone in a licenced venue or drive home drunk.

    The police commissioner, John McRoberts echoed the sentiments of Giles and said that the aim of the restrictions was to deal with those who behave badly under the influence of alcohol, he went on to explain:

    “This legislation, as far as police are concerned, is designed to deal with harmful effects of alcohol and target those who behave irresponsibly,” Police Commissioner John McRoberts said.

    “Far too often we see people mourning the morning after, because what started out as a pleasant night out for some has turned into an utter catastrophe for others.”

    It will be up to police to stop banned people entering licensed venues and buying alcohol, and licensees may be provided with photos and names of those banned so they don’t unknowingly serve them.

    Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/28/15/53/alcohol-orders-set-to-pass-nt-parliament

    One would think that this move would be bad for business and therefore would not be supported by businesses, but the Australian Hotels Association says it is supportive of the move because it helps staff of licenced venues who would otherwise have to deal with these drunken offenders.

    The post goes on to explain:

    “I don’t think this puts the onus on staff,” AHA NT senior vice-president Mick Burns said.

    “It targets the problem, it doesn’t target 99 out of 100 people that do the right thing and go out and enjoy a drink and don’t do the sort of things we read about on the front page of the paper.”

    Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/28/15/53/alcohol-orders-set-to-pass-nt-parliament

    The restrictions do have some critics who believe that it will criminalise drinking. The post goes on to explain:

    Critics of the legislation say it will criminalise alcoholism and disadvantage Aboriginal people, and say that it’s more cumbersome than the previous Labor government’s Banned Drinkers Register, which created a centralised system for bottle shops and licensed premises to scan patron IDs and refuse service to those banned.

    Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/28/15/53/alcohol-orders-set-to-pass-nt-parliament

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Parramatta Alcohol Violence gets Out of Hand

    While many parts of the country are experiencing progress in the fight against alcohol fuelled violence, there are some areas where alcohol fuelled violence is still alarmingly high. In fact in some areas the levels of alcohol fuelled violence are on the increase. Parramatta and its CBD in particular are one such area.

    Police have expressed major concerns over alcohol fuelled violence and other anti-social behaviour in Parramatta’s CBD especially over the weekend.

    Last weekend was no different with police from the Parramatta Local Area Command and the Alcohol and Licensing Enforcement Command (ALEC) removed 2 intoxicated men from a bar in Parramatta’s Church Street. The 2 men became argumentative and aggressive when approached by the police.

    The police officers managed to remove the 2 troublemakers from the bar but a large crowd joined in and became aggressive towards police and tried to intervene in the arrests. Because of this behaviour, officers had to be brought in from the Public Order and Riot Squad to assist in dispersing the crowd.

    Read what happened according to a post by www.ParramattaSun.com.au

    Police will allege during a number of inspections of the bar they located two men in seriously intoxicated states.

    One man refused medical treatment while another was allegedly so intoxicated he had to be taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment.

    A third man was allegedly found in the car park of the premises in a drunken state and also had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

    A number of people were charged or infringed for alcohol-related offences.

    This included three men who were charged with failing to quit licensed premises.

    Another man was issued a court attendance notice for assault police, resist arrest and offensive conduct while three people were issued criminal infringement notices for offensive language and re-entering the premises after they were excluded.

    Source: http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/1781531/alcohol-fuels-trouble-in-parramatta/?cs=12

    According to Acting Parramatta commander, Superintendent Karen Webb the police need pubs and clubs to work with them in the responsible service of alcohol to reduce alcohol fuelled incidents such as assaults caused by excessive and irresponsible drinking.

    All employees, management and owners of licenced venues need to ensure that they are properly trained on Responsible Service of Alcohol measures and are enforcing RSA rules when they supply alcohol to customers – it is vital to overcoming alcohol fuelled misconduct.

    The police have vowed to continue to conduct patrols of licensed premises to ensure the safety of patrons. The article goes on to explain:

    “Every weekend police are out on patrol to ensure the safety of the community but we can only do so much,” she said.

    “More often than not, those who drink to excess find themselves making poor choices, passing out in the street or leaving themselves vulnerable.

    “It is sad people feel the need to get blind drunk to have a good time and it is about time people took responsibility for their actions.”

    Superintendent Webb assured the community and local businesses that police were committed to reducing alcohol-related crime in Parramatta.

    Source: http://www.parramattasun.com.au/story/1781531/alcohol-fuels-trouble-in-parramatta/?cs=12

     

  • Could Alcoholism be linked to Genetics

    Alcoholism, what causes it and how it can be better treated is a subject that has long fascinated scientists. Now a group of scientists in the UK may have found the cause of alcoholism or at least the reason why some people tend to gravitate so strongly towards alcohol while others don’t.

    The research which was conducted on mice showed that a mutated gene could be causing certain people to drink more than others.

    According to researchers the gene that regulates alcohol consumption Gabrb1 can sometimes become damaged and this causes excessive drinking in mice and possibly in humans too.

    The lead researcher on the project had this to say about the findings:

    Professor Howard Thomas, from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, said: “We know from previous human studies that the GABA system is involved in controlling alcohol intake. Our studies in mice show that a particular subunit of GABAA receptor has a significant effect and, most importantly, the existence of these mice has allowed our collaborative group to investigate the mechanism involved. This is important when we come to try to modify this process first in mice and then in man.”

    Source: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_26-11-2013-15-15-35

    The Gabrb1 gene, according to researchers changes alcohol preference so strongly that mice carrying either of two mutations in this gene preferred drinking a 10 per cent alcohol solution rather than water.

    Another UK professor explained why the research and its findings are so significant to society and to the treatment of alcoholism:

    Professor Hugh Perry, Chair of the MRC’s Neurosciences and Mental Health Board, said: “Alcohol addiction places a huge burden on the individual, their family and wider society. There’s still a great deal we don’t understand about how and why consumption progresses into addiction, but the results of this long-running project suggest that, in some individuals, there may be a genetic component. If further research confirms that a similar mechanism is present in humans, it could help us to identify those most at risk of developing an addiction and ensure they receive the most effective treatment.”

    Source: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_26-11-2013-15-15-35

    Basically the study found that normal mice generally will choose to drink little or no alcohol when given a choice between alcohol and water. But mice with a mutation in the Gabrb1 gene preferred drinking alcohol over water, choosing to drink 85 per cent of their daily fluid intake as alcohol and even were willing to work to obtain alcohol, for example pushing a lever to get to the alcohol. This behaviour sounds surprisingly similar to that of people with severe alcohol addictions.

    According to one researcher involved in the study, Dr Quentin Anstee, Consultant Hepatologist at Newcastle University and joint lead author, it is quite amazing to consider that a small change in the code for just one gene can have such a profound effect on such complex behavioural patterns such as alcohol consumption.

    The researchers explained that this study is valuable in that it provides somewhat of a guide to develop better treatments for alcoholism in the future.

     

  • Alcohol, can we get the buzz without the side effects?

    It’s a question we often ask ourselves, how can we drink and enjoy ourselves without the horrible after effects associated with a hangover?

    Well soon this may become a reality. “So called “healthy” alcohol may be just a few years away according to a British Professor.

    The professor says that we should have a drink that provides all the positive effects of alcohol but none of the negatives in the next 2 years or so, if someone is willing to fund his research.

    Professor David Nutt, a drugs expert believes that healthy alcohol is the future of alcohol but to continue his research he needs a financial backer.

    An article on News.com.au provided some background on the Professor,

    Professor David Nutt, who once said taking ecstasy was no more dangerous than riding a horse, wants to create a drink that gives people the sensation of intoxication without hangovers, long-term health problems, or addiction.

    The professor, who in 2009 was fired as the UK Government’s chief drugs adviser, claims to have identified compounds which provide the pleasurable feelings of alcohol but don’t lead to aggression and addiction.

    He sees them being added to a range of flavoured cocktails sold in bars alongside normal alcohol.

    He also claims to have an “antidote” to the chemicals to instantly sober you up.

    “You have the pleasure of being inebriated, take another drug, then sober up and drive home,” Professor Nutt claims.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/healthy-alcohol-the-wonderdrink-that-is-hangover-proof/story-fneuzlbd-1226758133989

    Professor Nutt has discussed this “antidote” before. He first flagged the concept in 2006 after scientists created drugs to mimic the effect of being drunk.

    In 2009 the professor revealed that he had begun working on “healthy alcohol”, claiming it would help combat Britain’s binge drinking epidemic.

    The Professor promises that his research had developed alcohol which did not cause a hangover or any adverse effect on the liver and even claims to have trialled the method on himself.

    Prof Nutt says that when testing the antidote on himself, he was in a state of intoxication and five minutes after was sober and giving a lecture.

    The professor is now appealing for funding and investment into his research which in his words would help solve a very serious problem.

    Prof Nutt says that his “healthy alcohol” mimicks real alcohol by targeting the brains “gaba” neurotransmitter, so you get the benefits without the down side.

    The Professor went on to explain:

    “The other great advantage of this scientific approach to intoxication is that if we target compounds that affect the Gaba system, then it is possible to produce other drugs that could be sold alongside the alcohol substitute as an antidote,” he wrote in the Guardian.

    “The challenge is to prepare the new drink in a fashion that makes it as tasty and appealing. This is likely to be in the form of a cocktail, so I foresee plenty of different flavours. “

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/healthy-alcohol-the-wonderdrink-that-is-hangover-proof/story-fneuzlbd-1226758133989

    The professor expects that his healthy alcohol will be ready to hit the market within the next 2 years, until then we will have to settle for drinking in moderation and being responsible drinkers.

     

  • Alcohol Campaign Warns Youth to Avoid Drinking

    A new alcohol campaign aimed at educating young people about the risks associated with alcohol is gaining momentum since its launch recently.

    The campaign which costs $300,000 was launched by the Mental Health Minister, Helen Morton outside the Royal Perth Hospital emergency department and is also being backed by Dr Fiona Wood, Perth based burns surgeon and former Australian of the Year.

    The backing of Dr. Wood is significant because as a burns surgeon she has seen first-hand how devastating the effects of alcohol can be when it is abused and people make the wrong choices.

    An article on News.com.au quoted Dr. Wood as saying,

    “When I was asked to join and put my shoulder to the wheel for this (campaign) I said I see this, I see young lives changed so often,” she said.

    “I think if only. If only someone has thought, ‘actually do we need to do this?’ If only someone had thought as parents let’s ring each other and stand as a united front. If only someone has thought to stand back from that barbecue. To stand back from that aerosol can.

    “Then those lives that I see changed in an instant would be happy lives without scarring, that would have the opportunity to reach their potential.”

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/dr-fiona-wood-and-mental-health-minister-helen-morton-launch-new-alcohol-campaign-directed-at-teens-and-parents/story-fnii5thn-1226756788073

    The Australian School Students Alcohol and Drug Survey 2011 indicated that the number of students in Western Australia who are drinking at dangerous levels has risen in every age group.

    The survey also indicated that more than 28 per cent of students were getting alcohol mostly from the parents and 26 per cent were getting from friends.

    One of the reasons why medical professionals such as Dr Wood were so supportive of the campaign was because of the increasing number of young people who were showing up at Princess Margaret Hospital with injuries related to alcohol.

    Dr Wood went on to explain:

    “We see really quite more severe burns often … as a combination of being in a more hazardous environment with your capacity to protect yourself being impaired,” she said.

    “I think young children choosing not to drink is something to be encouraged.

    “And adding that understanding to people that if they do choose to drink it’s not just that drink, that night. It’s the flow on effects from that situation.”

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/dr-fiona-wood-and-mental-health-minister-helen-morton-launch-new-alcohol-campaign-directed-at-teens-and-parents/story-fnii5thn-1226756788073

    The campaign is not only meant to educate young people, but their parents as well about the impacts of alcohol on these youths. Students and their parents need to understand the importance of making the right decisions when it comes to alcohol.

    Helen Morton went on to explain about the campaign:

    “I’m sure that the police will have their usual road blocks etc but the area that I’m most focused on is making sure that we give parents really good, factual information around the impact of alcohol on young people – young people’s developing brains and young people’s developing bodies,” she said.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/dr-fiona-wood-and-mental-health-minister-helen-morton-launch-new-alcohol-campaign-directed-at-teens-and-parents/story-fnii5thn-1226756788073

    As Morton explained, parents that are educated and provided with the necessary information will make better choices which will benefit their children and young people and hopefully reduce much of the harm being done by alcohol among this age group.

     

  • Weekend Violence Fuelled by Alcohol

    According to an article on The Daily Telegraph website, last weekend was one filled with alcohol-fuelled violence in Sydney, describing it as “two nights of alcohol-fuelled stupidity this weekend”. And the violence was not limited to locals alone, tourists and even women were involved in the violence, some even being punched and kicked on the streets of Sydney.

    A number of victims landed in the emergency ward at St. Vincent’s Hospital for a number of injuries ranging from minor to serious injuries.

    Reporters from The Daily Telegraph spent the night shift at the hospital with emergency staff to witness the drama. According to them in the eight hours they spent at the hospital, 34 patients were admitted, 25 of which were victims of assault most likely linked to alcohol – that is 73 per cent of patients admitted.

    This excerpt was taken from the article on www.dailytelegraph.com.au

    At 1am on Saturday Professor Gordian Fulde, the head of the emergency department, said goodnight to staff on the “graveyard shift” and wished them well.

    For the first few hours all was quiet. Nurses and doctors filled in paperwork, checked medical equipment and made small talk and cups of tea.

    At the front counter two triage nurses dealt with a few minor cases.

    Then, at 3.40am a young Irishman walked in bleeding from a cut on the head.

    “This is how it starts,” said one of the nurses.

    He and two female friends were attacked on Pitt St by two men.

    “We were just standing there having a joke. Next thing I know they are bashing into me. One even hit my girlfriend. Who hits women for f … . sake?”

    About 40 minutes later the “bat phone” screams out from the centre of the room. It’s amplified and used when a particularly nasty case is on its way and all hands are needed.

    Doctors and nurses run to a counter and the phone connected to ambulance radios is put on loudspeaker. A paramedic details how a 24-year-old man has been a victim of a violent assault in Elizabeth St. “Patient has been punched three times and knocked unconscious, five minutes away.”

    The victim’s 26-year-old brother was in the ambulance behind him having had his nose smashed after the two got involved with a group of men walking down Elizabeth St.

    Read more: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/sydney-cbds-violent-side-back-on-show-as-brawls-and-alcohol-fuel-the-weekend/story-fni0cx12-1226664681078

    Dr Fulde goes on to explain that after 3am is what doctors call “red line” time because this is the time when licenced premises start to close down and patrons spill out on to the street. 4:30am is when the ward is bustling with hospital staff and patients.

    The article goes on to discuss a number of assault cases one of which involved a 24 year old club goer who was spear tackled by bouncers at a Sydney club, leaving him unconscious and possibly brain damaged.

    Another incident involved a young man who was found wandering the streets in a daze with a wound to the head.

    According to the doctor young people particularly those in their twenties especially men are falling victim (and are becoming perpetrators) of alcohol fuelled assaults every weekend due to violence.

     

  • Push To Tackle Alcohol-Related Violence in Sydney

    According to an article on Abc.net.au Sydney’s late night emergency services personnel have urged authorities to close all pubs and clubs in the state at 3am.

    According to the NSW Police Association president, all current methods of tackling alcohol fuelled violence have failed if the number of emergency call outs and people being arrested are anything to go by. According to the police, it is obvious that Sydney needs stricter rules governing late codes.

    This is what they are suggesting according to the article on Abc.net.au:

    The President of the New South Wales Police Association says it’s time to admit policies to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence have failed.

    Mr Weber says Sydney needs harsher restrictions.

    “We need to reduce trading hours back to 3am, put restrictions in regard to the sale of shots and heavy liquor and also make sure there is lock-outs at 1am,” he said.

    Nurses and health workers have joined the campaign calling for Sydney to follow the example of cities like Newcastle.

    Mr Weber says there’s a 1am lockout and restrictions on the sale of shots in Newcastle and similar rules should be imposed across Sydney.

    “We’ve seen a model up in Newcastle where there’s been a 37 percent reduction in regards to alcohol-related violence.

    “That is across the board. At licensed premises, out on the street and even domestic violence. A 37 percent reduction.

    “If we were talking about a road toll or cancer, it’d be implemented straight away,” he said.

    Read more at:

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-12/a-push-for-tougher-rules-to-tackle-alcohol-related-violence/4684216

    Although the NSW government has no current plans to implement heavier restrictions across Sydney’s venues, the Hospitality Minister George Souris says the so-called “Newcastle model” works because it covers a smaller area.

    Especially on the weekends police, ambulance and hospital staff find themselves scrambling to keep up with call outs and emergencies related to alcohol fuelled violence and misconduct, taking time away from other patients with natural diseases and illnesses.

    It is obvious that in NSW Responsible Service of alcohol is not being practiced as strictly as it should be. Anyone serving or selling alcohol has a responsibility to the community to enforce RSA rules when going about their job, to avoid the emergencies that we are seeing each and every weekend across the state.

    If the emergency services staff get their way and venues are forced to close at 3am, staff of licenced venues will suffer a financial knock because their hours of work may be affected which would resulted in fewer tips and less shifts. In order to avoid this staff of licenced venues should ensure that they enforce the RSA rules which they have been trained to do, including not serving alcohol to minors and never serving an unduly intoxicated patron.

    This can be difficult because while most intoxicated patrons show physical signs of being drunk, they may get someone else to purchase the alcohol on their behalf. Never the less look out for the signs – their eyes may become red and blood shot, their speech slurred or may even display signs of forgetfulness. Talking slowly or moving slowly is also a sign.  They also commonly show a lack of coordination, instability resulting in stumbling, swaying, falling down, dropping glasses etc.

    The person may stink of alcohol and sweat more than usual. Observe the early signs and avoid many of the consequences of over intoxication for the customer, yourself, your establishment and society in general.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Man Three Times over the Limit Involved in Crash

    A man more than 3 times over the legal alcohol limit was involved in a crash in Hervey Bay, last week.

    The man crashed his car while driving over the limit on Wednesday night.

    The man was trapped in the car which flipped and landed on its side. The man was treated at Hervey Bay hospital and then taken to a police station for a breathalyser test which returned a reading of over 0.150, the legal limit is 0.05.

    The man will have to appear in court over the incident but is lucky to be alive.

    FraserCoastChronicle.com.au reported this on the story:

    A MAN will have to face court after allegedly returning a blood alcohol reading more than triple the legal limit after crashing his car on Main St at Ghost Hill on Wednesday night.

    A Hervey Bay police spokesman said officers, who went to the crash about 8.30pm, found the driver trapped in the vehicle which was on its side.

    The man was freed from the vehicle and transported to Hervey Bay Hospital for treatment for injuries.

    After this, the man was taken to the police station for a breath test, the spokesman said.

    Even with the amount of time that had passed at the hospital, the man’s alcohol reading was alleged to still be over 0.150, the high alcohol limit.

    The man was given a notice to appear in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court, the spokesman said.

    Source: http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/man-appear-court-drink-driving-after-car-crash/1870577/

    It is sad to think that people not only have no respect for their own lives but endanger the lives of other road users as well by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

    This driver was lucky to escape with his life but he is also extremely lucky to have not involved anyone else in the crash or the consequences could have been much more severe for him and an innocent life (or lives) may have been lost.

    Impaired vision, slowed reaction times, the inability to keep straight on the road or within one’s own lane are just some of the consequences of drink driving, anyone of which or a combination of which can lead to serious and possibly fatal crashes.

    Alcohol also has the ability to make a driver feel relaxed which may cause them to fall asleep at the wheel. A number of people have caused serious crashes in this manner and this may have been what caused this crash in Hervey Bay.

    Alcohol also gives people a false sense of confidence which results in increased risk taking behaviour which while driving can involve speeding, dangerous manoeuvres, running stop signs etc.

    If you are going to go out and drink please do the responsible thing and call a friend or taxi for a lift home.

    Bartenders and anyone serving alcohol should try to stop anyone who is inebriated from driving. Although this may seem like a difficult task to accomplish especially on a busy night in a crowded bar, try to keep somewhat of a record of how many drinks you serve any particular person. Encourage patrons to call for a lift home or do it for them. Also promote responsible drinking by limiting the amount of alcohol you serve to any one patron.

     

  • Responsible Service of Alcohol News: Drunken Women Assaults Police Officer

    An example of the effects of alcohol on some people has been demonstrated by an incident which happened on The Fraser Coast recently.

    A young woman, after taking a cocktail of alcohol and prescription medication became involved in a drunken brawl in a car parking lot in Pialba. The women then proceeded to assault one of the police officers intervening in the fight and had to be arrested.

    According to police who attempted to break up the fight the young woman continued to scream and cause a disturbance after police had broken up the fight. Police then decided to arrest the young woman who resisted, even kicking one officer in the leg. She refused to provide police with her personal details, showing defiance even after being arrested.

    Read what happened according to this post from www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au

    A YOUNG woman who kicked a police officer after a drunken brawl in the McDonald’s Restaurant car park in Pialba has avoided a conviction after pleading guilty in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

    Tara Kate Godfrey, 24, had committed the offence after she had mixed prescription medication and alcohol on February 17, the court heard.

    Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jeanette Grigoris said officers were called to attend a fight between a group of people in the carpark.

    They were speaking with a man after breaking up the fight and at that point, Godfrey created another disturbance, screaming abuse at some of the other girls in the car park.

    “I’m going to smash you, you f***ing sluts, f***ing c***s!” Godfrey shouted.

    Her abuse lead to her being arrested and charged with being a public nuisance, Snr Const Grigoris said.

    Godfrey tried to resist arrest, and kicked one of the police officers in the leg.

    She later failed to provide her identifying particulars to the police, the court heard.

    Source: http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/young-woman-finds-medication-alcohol-and-police-do/1872783/

    According to the lawyer representing Ms Godfrey, she was a troubled youth battling with depression and anxiety who had simply over medicated herself by mixing alcohol and medication.

    The lawyer explained that she acted out of the ordinary because of her self-medication. This highlights even further the dangers of mixing alcohol with prescription or illicit drugs which can result in people acting in ways they wouldn’t ordinarily especially displaying increased levels of aggression. In her sober state Godfrey was apologetic for her actions and had to pay a $800 fine but managed to escape a criminal conviction.

    The post went on to explain:

    Duty lawyer John Milburn provided material from Fraser Coast Medical Centre, detailing Godfrey’s struggles with depression and anxiety.

    Mr Milburn said Godfrey had been “over medicated” at the time and when this mixed with alcohol the resulting behaviour was out of character.

    Godfrey apologised to the court and police for the way she acted.

    Magistrate Graeme Tatnell accepted this, and warned Godfrey about the dangers of mixing alcohol with medication.

    He said this would be her last chance to avoid having a conviction recorded for this sort of offence.

    Godfrey was fined $800.

    Read more: http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/news/young-woman-finds-medication-alcohol-and-police-do/1872783/