Don't Let Alcohol Spoil Spring Racing

With the annual Melbourne spring racing season in full swing, the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) has  urged people to take care when consuming alcohol.

"With a series of racing days over the next few weeks, some people are likely to use it as an excuse for a binge-drinking bonanza," said ADCA CEO David Templeman.

While ADCA acknowledges the tradition of race days such as the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate (Oct 25), Derby Day (Nov 1), Melbourne Cup Day (Nov 4), Oaks Day (Nov 6) and Stakes Day (Nov 8) - it is calling for moderation and safety during those celebrations.

"We now know more about the harms from alcohol when it is misused and it's time we started realising that alcohol is a drug too and its effects need to be taken seriously," he added.

"The racing industry has strict rules and regulations to ensure all the horses are fit and well to run.  Surely race goers should also be concerned about their health and monitor their drinking to enjoy the celebration rather than becoming a risk to others and themselves."

Many recent studies confirm the worrying effects of alcohol on our community, such as a Salvation Army study that found one in four Australians felt that alcohol had a negative impact on them or their family.  Further to this:

·       alcohol kills three times more Australians than all illicit drugs combined 

·       2 million Australians are at risk of brain damage from excessive alcohol, and

·       consumption of alcohol causes 3 000 deaths and costs almost 400 000 hospital bed days per year.