‘TURN DOWN THE TAP’ AND SAVE LIVES

The Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) strongly supports the call by Aboriginal communities in Central Australia for political parties and governments to “Turn Down the Tap” on alcohol in Alice Springs.

ADCA Chief Executive Officer, David Templeman, said the planned rally in Alice Springs tomorrow (14 November) highlights community concern and the need to consider their request to reduce access and alcohol availability.

“This community-based initiative is a call for help to minimise the harm done by excessive alcohol consumption in Central Australia,” Mr Templeman said.

“ADCA acknowledges comments made by the Deputy Director of the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Ms Donna AhChee, indicating that the alcohol flow needs to be steemed in order to save lives.”

Mr Templeman said the proposed rally was in line with ADCA’s policy asking political parties and Government to review alcohol policies in relation to misuse, excessive consumption, pricing, availability, accessibility, and promotion.

“These are all contributing factors which directly impact on the health, family, social, and welfare aspects of all communities,” Mr Templeman said.

“As the peak national body representing the interests of the Australian alcohol and other drugs (AOD) sector, ADCA’s primary role is to see a reduction in alcohol and drug-related harm and is committed to working with Government and major stakeholders to reduce AOD-related harm throughout Australia.”

Mr Templeman said some 1000 people are currently in our hospital system through alcohol-related harm at a cost of approximately $1 million a day. Nearly 80 per cent of all presentations in hospital emergency departments on Friday and Saturday nights involve some form of alcohol contributing factor, whether it be assault, domestic violence, road trauma, or an accident.

“This has an enormous impart on emergency medical services and police, who consequently are unable to address other community needs," Mr Templeman said.

“The increasing number of alcohol points of sale, combined with extended trading hours, only add more fuel to the debate that we have a growing community problem in dealing with a legal substance. ADCA commends recent initiatives in tackling all aspects of illicit drugs, but the time has come to focus on alcohol and apply similar funding measures.”

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Brian Flanagan, Strategic Communications and Policy Officer
Phone: 02 6281 0686 (w); 0400 860 058 (m)

13 November 2007