“Research has shown that alcohol abuse causes 1 in 4 hospitalisations of young people aged 15-24,” said ADCA CEO David Templeman, “The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that 84% of women who were sexually assaulted were attacked by a person who had been consuming alcohol or drugs, while about 80% of men aged 18-24 who were physically assaulted by another male said the perpetrator had been drinking or taking drugs. (ABS Australian Social Trends, 2007 & 2008 )

Drug Action Week 2009 (June 21-27), coordinated by ADCA, aims to highlight issues related to the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol and other drug issues, and to recognise those who work in frontline support services in the alcohol and other drugs sector.

“We need to take stock of what is actually happening in our communities with the misuse of alcohol and other drugs, rather than just excusing it as ‘normal’ behaviour, “said Mr Templeman.

“We have a government who has pledged through its National Preventative Health Taskforce to reduce the prevalence of harmful drinking for all Australians by 30%, but to achieve that so much more needs to be done,” he added.

Today’s focus of Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Community – forms part of a full week of activities, which are all underpinned by theme that Alcohol is a drug – TOO!

Information about all the registered activities can be found on the Drug Action Week website at www.drugactionweek.org.au

DAW 2009 concludes on Saturday, 27 June – and incorporates the National Drug and Alcohol Awards (NDAA) at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday 26 June.

Media Enquiries: Brian Flanagan, Manager Strategic Communications & Policy