Reducing alcohol and other drug related harm

High levels of alcohol and other drug use-related harm among Indigenous Australians are both a consequence of, and contribute to, the health and social gap between them and non-Indigenous Australians. This resource sheet summarises current evidence on the issue. Reduction of harmful alcohol and other drug (AOD) use must include broad strategies to address the underlying social factors which predispose towards, or protect against, harmful use; and strategies specifically targeting harmful use itself. AOD-specific strategies should aim to prevent or minimise the uptake of harmful use; provide safe care for those who are intoxicated; provide treatment for those who are dependent; support those whose harmful AOD use has left them disabled or cognitively impaired; and support those whose lives are affected by others’ harmful AOD us

Submission to the Inquiry by the Director of Liquor Licensing into proposed restrictions on the sale of packaged liquor in Port Hedland and South Hedland

This report has been prepared, on behalf of the Executive Director Public Health, Department of Health, for presentation at an Inquiry to be held, under Section 64 of the Liquor Licensing Act (1988), at South Hedland Court on the 18th and 19th June 2002. The purpose of the inquiry is to: hear evidence and submissions in relation to the proposed restrictions on the twelve licensees authorised to sell packaged liquor in Port Hedland and South Hedland (Director of Liquor Licensing 21st May 2002a).The proposed restrictions, which are to apply from Sunday to Friday, for a 12 month trialperiod, are as follows.1. The sale of up to one block of packaged low strength beer (eg: 30 cans) (3.5% alcohol by volume of less) per customer may be sold between the hours of 10.00am and 10.00pm.2. The sale of full strength packaged liquor shall not commence before 12 noon and cease no later than 10.00pm. During these trading hours, the sale of liquor will be subject to the following limits on the volume of liquor that may be sold per customer. 4.5 litres of full strength beer or UDLs (eg: 12 cans); or 2 litres of wine; or 700ml of spirits.3. Normal trading conditions will apply on all Saturdays during the trial period.The Director of Liquor Licensing has invited evidence from interested parties regarding:(i) the extent of alcohol-related harm in the two towns;(ii) potential adverse effects of proposed restrictions;(iii) key issues;(iv) complementary measures;(v) suggestions for alternative proposals (Director of Liquor Licensing 2002b)

THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY JUNGARNI-JUTIYA ALCOHOL ACTION COUNCIL ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

Jungarni-Jutiya Alcohol Action Council Aboriginal Corporation (referred to in this report as Jungarni-Jutiya) oversees the operation of the Halls Creek Night Patrol and Alcohol Centre. The Jungarni-Jutiya management committee plans to expand the organisation's services--possibly to include a residential treatment facility. As part of the planning process, Jungarni-Jutiya initiated an assessment of the needs of the Halls Creek community and an evaluation of its existing projects. This report presents the findings of the needs assessment and evaluation, and recommends strategies to improve and expand Jungarni-Jutiya's alcohol intervention services

The Northern Territory's cask wine levy: Health and taxation policy implications

A study examines the effect of the application, and removal, in the Northern Territory of a levy on the sale of cask wine - a beverage shown to contribute disproportionately to alcohol-related harm. Prior to the introduction of the levy, quarterly per capital consumption of cask wine among persons aged 15 and older was 0.73 liters. During the levy period, this fell to .49 liters and following removal of the levy rose to 0.58 liters. Imposition of the levy had no significant effect on the consumption of other beverages. The study concludes that taxation is an effective means of reducing excessive alcohol consumption and related harm. In the interest of public health, support should be given to the introduction of a tiered tax based on alcohol content