Everyone has the right to voice their concerns and take action
about the problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption
in their community. As an individual, you may feel you will
not accomplish anything. This is not the case - you can make
a difference.
There have been instances where people, who are concerned
about problems associated with drunkenness in their community,
have rallied together to do something about it. A ground swell
from the community, regarding problems associated with drunkenness,
can be a powerful message to key decision makers that there
is a problem. By stepping forward and having your say you
can encourage other community members who have similar concerns
to come forward. It can also alert people working in both
government and non-government agencies that there is a need
to address identified problems associated with drunkenness
in the community. These agencies may be able to provide assistance
and can often introduce other strategies that can enhance
the efforts of those working in the community.
CASE STUDY
An example of how powerful this approach can be occurred
in 2003 on Rottnest Island. Several key groups worked
together to build upon activities undertaken in previous
years that aimed to reduce alcohol-related harm and
damage during the school leavers’ period. New
activities in 2003 limited hours of opening for licensed
outlets and restricted certain alcohol products in glass
containers.
Key groups such as the , Rottnest Island Authority,
Drug and Alcohol Office, Department of Health, businesses
and volunteer groups worked together to introduce a
range of activities to address specific local alcohol-related
problems. Some of the strategies included later opening
times of liquor outlets; glass restrictions of some
alcoholic beverages; coordinated recreational activities;
a ‘chill-out’ area from which educational
information was provided; the establishment of a dedicated
area of the Island for school leavers; and enforcement
of bans on street drinking.
As a result of these activities, there was a significant
reduction in the number of people attending the Island
Nursing Post. In 2003 only 39 people presented at the
Nursing Post for alcohol-related injuries compared to
118 the previous year. There were also only eleven people
with glass-related injuries compared to 59 the previous
year. The also noted a reduction in problems
and recorded a 60% decrease in the number of offences
'against the person’ (e.g. offences involving
verbal or physical abuse).
Overall, the activities introduced for the school leavers’
celebrations at Rottnest Island had a very positive
effect on levels of alcohol-related harm compared to
previous years. |
You are encouraged to voice your concerns in relation to
problems associated with drunkenness in your community. This
web site aims to provide information on what can be done both
within communities and by other agencies. By working together
you can have an impact on alcohol-related problems associated
with drunkenness in your community.
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