Alcohol & other Drugs Council Applauds Prime Minister's 'National Binge Drinking' Strategy

ADCA Chief Executive Officer, David Templeman, said this initiative further highlighted the importance of the Federal Government's announcement for a Senate Inquiry to examine Australia's growing alcohol toll, including issues around warnings, labeling, marketing and advertising of alcohol products, and education - these are significant steps in addressing this national health priority.

"ADCA has been advocating for the past eight months for better understanding on the harms of alcohol and the associated costs to the nation," Mr Templeman said. "ADCA believes this initiative by the Prime Minister to tackle the complacency mind-set around alcohol is a fantastic and positive step to care for our future generations."

Mr Templeman said that educating and information all Australians of the associated risks with drinking excessive amounts of alcohol needs to incorporate messages that will be clearly understand by the many levels of our society who indulge in alcohol misuse and abuse.

"The strategy will need strong leadership and participation from all interested parties - government, industry, and the community services/ health sectors," Mr Templeman said. "This is required to ensure there is a joined-up appreciation of the problem and the priorities which need to be addressed under the Prime Minister's strategy covering community partnership, intervention, and specific messaging about the harms of binge drinking."

ADCA believes that alcohol advertising and promotion which is currently self-regulated by industry bodies rather than by government, is ineffective and does not accord with public views on when and how restrictions should be applied.

"The harms from alcohol are well documented and we now need to take decisive action to recognize that Alcohol is a drug - Too!," Mr Templeman said. "In fact, this year's Drug Action Week in June has been planned specifically to reinforce the importance of this message."

Each year 3000 Australians die and another 10 000 need ongoing medical treatment through alcohol related harm. The annual cost in alcohol related absenteeism is 7.5 million working days and the economic impact of its misuse is $15.3 billion.