| ADCA Says ‘Stop the Spring Racing Binge’ – 21 October 2009 |
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With the annual Victorian Spring Racing Carnival underway, the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) has called for a stop continuing reckless binge drinking behaviour.
“The Carnival, which reaches a climax this year with the Melbourne Cup on 3 November, is typically a time some racegoers use as an excuse for excessive drinking,” ADCA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Templeman said that the point of the Carnival’s star-studded calendar of major races should be to witness great racing, and for the racing industry and patrons to relax and enjoy the events – all of which ADCA supports. “The public awareness campaign launched by Victorian Racing Minister Rob Hulls calling on race goers to avoid excessive drinking and ‘to look after their mates’ seems to have fallen on deaf ears,” Mr Templeman said. “Many of those who drink to excess are not doing themselves any favours in the ‘Health Stakes’, ruin the day for the true racegoers, and give the racing industry a bad name.” Mr Templeman stressed the need for all Australians to change their apparent blasé attitude to excessive consumption alcohol, and acknowledge that Alcohol is a drug TOO! – a drug that kills more than three people every hour, and hospitalises another 1500 each week. “With the Cox Plate being the feature race this coming week-end, I sincerely hope, as do I am sure those Victorian Police and security officers who will be on duty at the meeting, there will be no repetition of the post Caulfield Cup violence,” Mr Templeman said. “This Carnival is a fantastic opportunity that not only puts Melbourne, but all of “Let’s stick to racing as the main event, and not put alcohol-fuelled violence on the racecard for the hundreds of thousands who turn-in to watch and listen, or buy newspapers to read about favourite thoroughbreds, jockeys, owners and connections.” Mr Templeman said that latest alcohol research data from the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) provided a stark wake-up call for those people only interested in drinking to excess. Over a 10-year period, some 32 696 Australians aged 15 and over died as a result of risky or high risk alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related hospitalisations increased by over 30 per cent to 813 072. “Have a enjoyable time by all means, but I urge everyone to celebrate with moderation and safety in mind,” Mr Templeman said. “In 2007, the Carnival suffered as a result of equine influenza, last year it was the global economic crisis, don’t let 2009 be known as the ‘Year of the Binge’.” Media Enquiries: |
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