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Tag: Alcohol Fuelled Problems

  • NT Government Passes Controversial Alcohol Treatment Law

    The Northern Territory government has just passed the contentious alcohol treatment law which will see people arrested for alcohol fuelled crimes 3 times or more forced into rehab.

    From the outset the law has been a contentious issue amongst the Aboriginal community as well as justice advocacy groups and medical organisations in the country.

    The new law states that alcoholics will be forced into 3 months of alcohol rehabilitation, that includes anyone taken into protective custody for drunkenness three times in a period of two months. Authorities will assess each case and determine the best outcome and whether the person should spend 3 months in alcohol rehabilitation to help them deal with their addiction.

    But alcoholics placed on the program should not think that they can simply leave before their 3 months are up. Patients may face criminal charges if they repeatedly abscond from rehab. However the legislation faces many sceptics who say it will not work to reduce alcohol fuelled problems and is an infringement of people’s rights.

    An excerpt from an article on Abc.net.au explains:

    From the outset the draft legislation was heavily criticised by Indigenous groups, medical bodies and justice advocates who have argued it criminalises drunkenness.

    Key points:

    The contentious legislation comes into effect in Northern Territory on July 1, 2013

    Anyone taken into custody for drunkenness three times in two months to be assessed for the treatment

    Patients could face criminal charges if they abscond from the program

    Means some alcoholics will be forced into three months of rehabilitation

    Treatment to occur at rehabilitation facilities in Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs

    Draft legislation heavily criticised by Indigenous groups, medical bodies and justice advocates

    Critics argue it criminalises drunkenness

    They also say it will do little to address alcohol problems in the Territory.

    “It represents one of the greatest Australian policy failures since the introduction of cane toads…” Labor’s Michael Gunner said.

    Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-28/mandatory-grog-treatment-laws-pass-into-law/4787582

    As of Monday drunk and disorderly alcoholics in the state may be put into rehabilitation facilities in Darwin, Katherine or Alice Springs which are at the moment rushing to prepare for the perceived influx of patients.

    The parliamentary debate apparently lasted around 8 hours before the legislation was passed into law at 2:30am after 43 amendments.

    The article also goes on to explain:

    Meanwhile, proposed restrictions in the South Australian outback town of Coober Pedy would ban people from some communities in the state and the Northern Territory from buying takeaway alcohol.

    After visiting the town at the council’s request, South Australia’s Liquor and Gambling Commissioner has proposed a number of changes.

    These include people from areas such as the APY Lands and Northern Territory dry communities being banned from buying alcohol, shorter opening hours, and a ban on cask wine.

    Mayor Steve Baines says Coober Pedy is the remaining town in the area without any alcohol restrictions, giving it a reputation as “a party town”.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-28/mandatory-grog-treatment-laws-pass-into-law/4787582

    The aim is to “dry up” the supply of alcohol to people just passing through the town to change the perception of the town as a “party town”. These changes were apparently demanded by the community who are sick and tired of the alcohol fuelled problems caused by visitors passing through the town.

     

  • Safe Drinking Checklist

    A lot of people vilify alcohol because of the alcohol fuelled problems we see and read about every day in the news but the truth is alcohol is valuable to society for many reasons. Beside the social benefits (alcohol helps people unwind, relax, distress and socialize better), it boosts the economy and provides countless numbers of people with employment however like every good thing there is always room for abuse.

    There are some people who use alcohol to cope with their problems, others have addictive personalities and others are influenced into dangerous drinking habits by peer pressure and social circumstances, the problem is not alcohol but people’s unhealthy approach to alcohol.

    This is one of the reasons why the Australian government implemented Responsible Service of Alcohol legislature, to negate the negative impact of drinking on society by controlling the sale of alcohol.

    Drinkers need to ensure that they keep their drinking habits under control, these are some of the guidelines for safe drinking

    There is no level of drinking alcohol that can be guaranteed to be completely ‘safe’ or ‘have no risk’ because everyone’s makeup is different, therefore everyone’s tolerance levels will also differ.  Alcohols effect on a person is affected by a myriad of things such as weight, gender and tolerance to alcohol. However, this checklist advises on how healthy adults can minimise the risk of short and long-term harms.

    ü  Drink no more than two standard drinks on any day, this reduces your risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. Or drink no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion, this reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion

    ü  Ensure you have safe transport home even before you begin drinking

    ü  For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding it is recommended that you abstain from alcohol completely because we do not know what a safe amount is.

    ü  People under 18 years of age also should not drink alcohol at all – it is the law.

    ü  According to FARE (Foundation for alcohol research and education), parents and carers should be advised that children under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and that for this age group, not drinking alcohol is especially important.

    ü  Have you taken any drugs, illicit or prescription? If so it’s best to steer clear of alcohol because you cannot be sure of the reaction that will occur when you combine the two – it could be life-threatening, directly (the reaction of chemicals could be toxic to the body) or indirectly (you could become extremely drunk and place your life in danger by drink driving etc.)

    ü  Assess your motive for drinking. Why are you drinking? If it is to get drunk then abstain from alcohol because you could be developing a problem.

    ü  Are you aware of the number of standard drinks you should consume based on your gender and the daily recommended amount? Also do you know how many standard drinks are contained in your favourite drinks? If not familiarise yourself with this to ensure you are not drinking too much.

    Keep this checklist in mind and a night out need not turn into an alcohol fuelled tragedy.

     

  • Possible Solutions to Alcohol Fuelled Problems

    A number of suburbs around Australia are battling to find ways to combat alcohol fuelled violence and crimes that are causing major distress to residents. One such suburb is Scarborough, the beach front suburb which has been hit by a number of alcohol related incidents recently with drunken thugs taking over the area. Residents of the suburb are now fighting back and I it works this may be a solution that other suburbs could also implement to obtain similar results.

    One of the demands of the residents is that police enforce the law by confiscating alcohol from those consuming it on the beach and surrounding area. One of the other suggestions was setting up a police post on the beach during the holiday season. Residents have been attacked with bottles, assaulted and robbed and have had enough and are calling on authorities to act and help them take back their community.

    Perhaps more police patrolling the area will make a difference as an increase in police presence has been effective in other parts of the country in reducing alcohol fuelled violence.

    Alcohol retailers, pubs and bars in the area also have a role to play in ensuring that they supply alcohol in a responsible manner, this involves not providing alcohol to intoxicated patrons or underage minors.