Rudd Government plans to tackle binge drinking

Mar 11 2008

The Rudd Government plans to spend $53 million on programs and initiatives designed to reduce Australia's culture of binge drinking and the plans have been welcomed in most quarters.

Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the Government will examine advertising and promotion regulations with a special focus on early intervention.

The effects of alcohol abuse is estimated to cost the country hundreds of millions each year in terms of health issues, lost work days, as well as police time spent dealing with the effects of alcohol abuse in the community.

The Public Health Association says the new plans to tackle binge drinking is a massive step forward.

President of the association, Professor Mike Daube says it is time for appropriate action to protect the health and social well-being of young people and the program will make a real difference.

He says prevention is better than cure.

Experts say it is encouraging that a sizable amount has been committed to binge drinking as any campaigns which aim to equal the level of promotion employed by the drinks industry will be expensive.

Many experts believe that the massive levels of alcohol advertising used are now effectively uncontrolled.

The Alcohol and Liquor industry has been criticized in the past for targeting young drinkers with beverages designed to appear more like soft drinks or 'lollie water', with teens and young drinkers the clear target market.

Some say the culture of binge drinking is worse in pubs and clubs that stay open later and trading hours are an issue which needs to be examined.

Also at issue is the cheap price of alcohol which makes it more accessible to young people.

The Australian Hotels Association however disputes this and says most alcohol is bought from bottle shops and supermarkets, and only 30 per cent of alcohol is consumed in hotels and clubs and other licensed premises.

The Australian Drug Foundation says alcohol has become a major part of sporting culture, and needs to be addressed; sporting clubs have been told to develop alcohol consumption codes of conduct, and their funding may be tied to the steps they take to address the problem.

The Australian Drug Foundation says alcohol has become a far worse issue than illicit drugs.