changing the culture of alcohol use in nsw

Thousands of lives and billions of dollars.  Counting the cost of alcohol is easy. Doing something about it, while preserving our right to responsibly enjoy alcohol, is not as easy.  The NSW Government's response to its Summit on Alcohol Abuse sets out to meet that tough public policy challenge.

It requires each program to be carefully measured and evaluated under our evidence-based approach. And it requires a truly cooperative partnership between government, the alcohol industry, scientific and medical experts, community and professional organisations and individuals.

Our plan is a considered reflection on the Summit's 318 recommendations, the key areas for action it nominated, and the 300 public submissions that informed the discussion.

 Given the legal status of alcohol, this response is qualitatively different to that which emerged from the Drug Summit five years ago with its focus on new resources and new programs. In tackling alcohol abuse, the character of the response is, appropriately, quite different.

 Improvements will come through a shift towards greater awareness and responsibility, change will be incremental, not dramatic. Ours is a long-term strategy aimed at changing a culture but it is not an invitation to inaction.

 Rather, this response sets out many things we can do to influence and accelerate the course of change - a combination of existing measures, ideas implemented since the Summit and new initiatives.

 Our plan is contained in 'Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use in New South Wales.'

It requires each public sector agency to review what they're doing and, if necessary, reshape services and create new services. It calls on agencies and departments to better target and coordinate services and programs and promote greater community awareness and responsibility.

One of the most important initiatives contained in 'Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use in New South Wales' is the establishment of a Liquor Accord Unit which will strengthen a  program that has already created over 100 Accords across NSW. (For more information see story 3)

These Accords bring together licensees, police and community representatives to work together on solving alcohol-related problems in their area.

 The NSW Government already spends over $190 million per year on alcohol programs.

 'Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use in New South Wales' includes funding of $12.5 million over four years on specific initiatives that aim to foster cultural change and reduce the damage caused by alcohol abuse.

 We believe it can be done. The health and happiness of too many Australians has been marred, often fatally, by the misuse of alcohol and it's time the abuse stopped.

A copy of Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use in New South Wales - the Government's response to the Summit on Alcohol Abuse can be found at: www.alcoholsummit.nsw.gov.au

The NSW Government Report - 'Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use in New South Wales,'includes initiatives aimed at improving community awareness and new ways to prevent the impact of alcohol abuse on local communities.

 Improving community awareness was a key recommendation of last year's Summit on Alcohol Abuse.

However, most experts agree that there is no single approach to dealing with the damage caused by dangerous drinking. Regional and rural communities have particular issues, as do young people and Indigenous communities.

That is why we will be asking all Community Drug Action Teams across the State to tackle the issue of alcohol abuse in their local communities.

Community Drug Action Teams have formed the backbone of the Government's illicit drug program at a local community level.

Recently a group of indigenous young people from Bourke launched a music CD and television campaign with the theme He ain't drinking, he's drivin, which highlights the importance of responsible drinking. (For more information see story 2)

 In the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, the local Community Drug Action Team was successfully involved in the development of local Liquor Accords.

 The NSW Government will also establish a new Alcohol Education and Information Taskforce to oversee community alcohol education and information programs across the State.

NSW Health will develop an Alcohol Communication Plan, in partnership with the Taskforce, to provide direction for cross-Government alcohol education and information.

 Last year's Summit on Alcohol Abuse had also recommended amending the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code.

 The retail liquor industry has already agreed to amend the Code to encourage responsible advertisements for alcohol and promote drinking standards that are consistent with the National Health and Medical Research Council's Australian Alcohol Guidelines.

 The NSW Government will also work in partnership with the Australian Drug Foundation to expand the Good Sports Accreditation Program with the aim of bringing more sporting clubs into the program.

The Goods Sports program encourages safe drinking practices and healthy lifestyles in sports clubs and associations.

....the teams are ideally placed to know what the drug and alcohol problems are in their towns and cities and what will work best to address these issues.

There are now more than 80 teams across NSW involving over 1000 people and many teams have already put in place successful projects to reduce the damage caused by the abuse of alcohol. We want to encourage more of this kind of activity.

Different and imaginative approaches to tackling the issue of problem drinking in our society and finding solutions which involve the community as a whole, were some of the key themes contained in the NSW Summit on Alcohol Abuse.

 In Bourke in western NSW, a group of Indigenous young people have come up with two projects - both creative and contemporary, highlighting the importance of responsible drinking in their communities

 The projects - a music CD and television campaign use hip hop and rap as a way of engaging young people about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

The Bourke TV campaign, which is being shown nationally on Indigenous television station Imparja, and the CD were developed between the Bourke young people and the Bourke Community Drug Action Team.

The development of the TV campaign and CD was supported by professionals but involved Bourke young people every step of the way, from writing the script to developing a media schedule to ensure maximum audience reach and exposure.

 'He ain't drinking, he's drivin' is the theme of the new television ad campaign which focuses on 'Paul' who proves that by drinking responsibly he can still have a good time and be popular with his peers.

The sound track for the TV ad and hip hop and rap music CD was written and performed by local Bourke group 'Back Lane Boys.'

 The Chair of the Bourke Community Drug Action Team, Sergeant Tim Beattie, was very pleased with the projects and proud that some of the young people involved have since gone on to undertake film making and music production courses at TAFE.

 The CD and television campaign were funded by  NSW Government grants worth $22,600.

Local police powers to target alcohol related crime

Minister for Police John Watkins and Minister for Gaming and Racing Grant McBride have announced that mandatory Liquor Accords would be introduced across NSW - to help curb alcohol-related crime, violence and anti-social behaviour.

"Mandatory Liquor Accords give police and residents the power to take action against alcohol-related problems in their own communities," Mr Watkins said.

"That means examining trading hours, retail liquor sales or entry to licensed premises - and drawing up agreements between communities, government and licensees.

 "Each Accord will be tailored to suit the unique needs of its local community"

 Mr Watkins and Mr McBride said new Liquor Accord laws would strengthen legislation introduced by the Government in 1999 and 2000 allowing Accords to restrict liquor sales, entry to licensed venues and trading arrangements.

Accords bring together licensees, police and community representatives to work together on solving alcohol related problems at the community level.

 Mr McBride said a "best practice" model would be developed to guide Accord issues including transport solutions, venue security, drink spiking and the restricted sale of alcohol from glass containers.

 He said an annual conference would be held to showcase Accord initiatives.

Alerts can recommend products be immediately removed from retail stores

Alcohol products which encourage under-age and binge drinking will be quickly removed from retail outlets under a new retailer alert system being developed by the alcohol industry and the NSW Government.

 The retailer alert system will ensure that alcohol products with offensive names and packaging are taken off store shelves and removed from sale.

 This initiative is contained in Changing the Culture of Alcohol Use - the Government's final response to the 2003 Summit on Alcohol Abuse.

 The Australian alcohol industry has its own guidelines on the naming, packaging and promotion of products, developed by the National Alcohol Beverage Industries Council.

 Most alcohol companies are responsible and support the guidelines, however, there are still some irresponsible alcohol products with provocative names or promotions targeted at children and teenagers.

The NSW Government will look at the system operating in the United Kingdom where the alcohol industry issues alerts for products that do not comply with presentation, naming and packaging requirements.

 Alerts can recommend products be immediately removed from retail stores.

 The UK requirements apply under a self-regulatory code which is a great example of the alcohol industry being responsible and enforcing its own code of practice.

 A retailer alert system in NSW would need to be managed by the industry and supported by all Australian jurisdictions - so that retailers are encouraged to remove offending products from sale until breaches of the guidelines are rectified.

 To start the process, the NSW Government will invite the industry and the Commonwealth to participate in a Working Party with the aim of starting a trial in New South Wales by 2005. 

targeting adult offenders whose criminal behaviour can be clearly linked to their alcohol abuse

The NSW Government has announced a new alcohol diversion scheme for the Central West as part of the Government's response to the NSW Summit on Alcohol Abuse.

 The Rural Alcohol Diversion pilot program will target adult offenders whose criminal behaviour can be clearly linked to their alcohol abuse.

 The pilot program will be comprehensively monitored and is based on the State Government's highly successful Magistrate's Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) scheme.

Like MERIT, the new initiative aims to break offenders' drug-related criminal behaviour through treatment and rehabilitation.

Judicially supervised over a three-month period, the program will target offenders who are eligible and suitable for release on bail, and who are motivated to engage in rehabilitation.

The Government will be working closely with magistrates, health and other service providers in the Central West to set up the pilot.

The Rural Alcohol Diversion pilot program will also aim to address the causes of offending behaviour.

Abuse of alcohol is a major contributor to assaults, violence in the home and other anti-social behaviour. By addressing the abuse of alcohol, we expect to see a change in the rate of offending behaviour, a reduction in crime rates and increased community safety.

The pilot program is being funded under the Commonwealth/NSW Drug Diversion Agreement for 2003/04 - 2006/7.

The - 'Dharawal Family Matters' booklet which includes Dharawal translations - the language of the indigenous population of Campbelltown in Sydney's South West, uses real messages from parents and community elders and offers advice on where to seek help.

'Dharawal Family Matters' - a drug and alcohol information kit specifically developed to assist Campbelltown's Indigenous community

 In recognising that we all desire to live in a society free from drug and alcohol problems, the approach in the 'Dharawal Family Matters' project is sensitive and responsive to local needs and is a great example of a community working together.

 The booklet uses messages from local community members. Families and individuals provided real life experiences and were able to tell their stories about grog, violence and drugs in their own words and language.

 Through stories and illustrations the booklet shows the effects of drugs and alcohol on families, the wider indigenous community and the loss of language and traditions.

Importantly, the booklet provides essential information on where to seek help.

Produced in partnership with the Yura Yulang Community Drug Action Team - a Campbelltown based Aboriginal drug and alcohol group - and the NSW Premier's Department, the booklet highlights the importance of family in managing drug and alcohol issues.

Dharawal Family Matters Booklet.pdf

"....NSW is opposed to any scheme which involves growing cannabis in backyards or requiring sick people to buy it on the black market."

NSW Premier Bob Carr

The NSW Government is seeking cooperation from the Commonwealth on the issue of medical cannabis with NSW Premier Bob Carr requesting the Commonwealth's cooperation in the trial of a compassionate scheme for the medicinal use of cannabis.

Last month the NSW Premier said:

"I have today written to the Prime Minister requesting the Commonwealth's assistance in this complex and delicate matter."

 "NSW is opposed to any scheme which involves growing cannabis in backyards or requiring sick people to buy it on the black market.

 "We need to work with the Commonwealth to resolve issues relating specifically to Commonwealth jurisdictions, including customs legislation and therapeutic drugs approvals," Mr Carr said.

 Prime Minister Howard is on record offering qualified support for a medical use of cannabis scheme. On May 23, 2003 on Radio 4BC in Brisbane he said:

 "Well in principle, providing it's prescribed and people aren't allowed to grow it.  ...  I would in-principle see merit in it for cases where there are no other conventional medicines available to reduce pain and to provide greater comfort."

"Let there be no misunderstanding, the NSW Government has no intention of decriminalising cannabis use."

"That means we need to look at the alternatives, and that in turn requires cooperation from the Commonwealth and, I hope, from the other States and Territories.

 "But the remaining alternatives, while controversial - and I confess to some personal reservations - could include the importation of cannabis products from the Canadian Government under strict conditions.

 "Canada and eight American states, including Colorado and Washington, allow the use of cannabis for strictly medicinal purposes.

 "I have therefore today written to the Prime Minister requesting the Commonwealth's cooperation in this complex and delicate matter.

There is clear and growing evidence that cannabis can reduce nausea from cancer or HIV-related chemotherapy, muscle spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, wasting related to HIV and severe and chronic pain associated with these medical conditions.

 The NSW Government has been investigating the complex medical, legal and constitutional issues around the provision of regulated access to medicinal cannabis.

 The Government has also consulted with the UK Home Office about the progress of an inhaler spray, which is being developed by GW Pharmaceuticals and Bayer Health Care in the United Kingdom.

 While the inhaler is the Government's preferred option, its arrival in Australia appears to be some years away.

 "For some people, this will simply be too late," Mr Carr said.

 Mr Carr has also asked the Prime Minister to nominate a Ministerial representative to work with NSW to progress this proposal in the interests of patients and their families.

Reinforcing the message that cannabis is not a healthy drug

The recent school holiday period has seen NSW cinemas displaying a series of poster images highlighting the dangers of cannabis use to young people.

 Reinforcing the message that cannabis is not a healthy drug - a drug without consequences, the posters raise awareness about its use and encourage young people to discuss its social and other effects.

 The posters show young people at a party, playing sport or at the school formal and highlight the ways that cannabis can negatively affect relationships and friendships, fitness and physical health. The messages use young people's stories, in their language, reflecting their experiences.

 First run during the January 2003 summer school holidays - the posters are being shown again following positive responses from young people and parents of teenagers.

The NSW Government is currently developing a new phase of the anti-cannabis poster campaign.