Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), David Templeman, said today that this initiative clearly recognised the problems created by the excessive consumption of RTDs which were attractive to the youth market.

The increase in excise from $39 a litre of pure alcohol to $67 a litre of alcohol from midnight (Saturday) follows the release of the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey which showed a disturbing pattern of alcohol consumption.

“We all witness the harmful effect that the misuse of alcohol can have on our communities, and ADCA is working at all levels to see these issues of critical importance addressed,” Mr Templeman said.

“The responsibility for getting sensible and workable outcomes is shared among governments, the liquor industry and the wider community and the Government is to be applauded for taking leadership in addressing this national crisis.

“The fact that some 20 000 young teenage girls are drinking alcohol every week, three times as many as young boys is a great cause for concern and constructive moves to help eliminate this problem are encouraging.”

Mr Templeman said that the estimated $2 billion increase in revenue from the tax jump to be put into a preventative health program is a first class step strongly supported by ADCA on behalf of the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector.

“ADCA will continue to work with Government to develop this initiative.” Mr Templeman said. “But there are still many issues of alcohol-related harm which need to be address, particularly in the areas of management of responsible drinking, product branding, outlet density, opening hours, together with the education of families and children about the harms of alcohol.”

Mr Templeman said that ADCA intended to lead discussion on this latest Government initiative at a satellite meeting of State and Territory AOD Peaks at the Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council Conference in Hobart on Tuesday, 29 April. This will further strengthen ADCA’s support for the recently announced National Binge Drinking Strategy and the current Senate Inquiry examining Australia’s growing alcohol toll.

27 April 2008