Fighting Binge Drinking
This past week the federal government announced $53 million in spending for a binge drinking prevention strategy to combat “the culture of binge drinking”.
$20 million of this will go towards TV, radio and internet advertising to “shock young people with the consequences of binge drinking.”
$14.4 million in grants-based programs will focus on trying to change the culture that leads young people to binge drinking, at the local level, working with sporting clubs and community groups.
$19.1 million for early intervention and diversion programs for people under 18.
What is Binge Drinking ?
Binge drinking is defined as having five or more standard drinks for a female or more than seven for a male in a single session or one after another.
According to a research paper released by the Australian National Council on Drugs: one in 10 people aged between 12 and 17 had drunk too much alcohol in the past week. It was most pronounced among 16 and 17-year-olds, with one in five over-indulging at least once a week.
Why is this such a problem in
According to the ANCD paper binge drinking has become so entrenched with young people that is defines their generation.
It can be handed down to teenagers as a family tradition from older siblings or parents as a rite of passage.
The ANCD report found that more than 450,000 children lived in homes where adults binge drink.
Somehow, as smoking, sex and driving became subject to greater scrutiny and control, alcohol has remained relatively immune.
The cocktail of circumstances that comprises under-age alcohol abuse — lack of parental care or responsibility, availability of alcohol at social functions, insufficient awareness of the physical and psychological damage of binge drinking — is a lethal blend of the irresistible, unavoidable and just plain ignorance.
Changing these perceptions requires time and various forms of education.
The Outcomes
The main outcome that the Rudd government wants is to stop or at least decrease the number of teenagers and young adults binge drinkers.
The government is also looking at changes to advertising and labelling in alcohol products. As well as the codes of conduct for sporting clubs in relation to binge drinking and having their federal grants withdrawn.
Sports play a very important role in Australian society, severing the link between binge drinking and sports would be a massive win against binge drinking. But this is a mighty thing to overcome, so even little steps, like punitive measures would be welcomed.
The steps the government are taking are a step in the right direction, getting public awareness and educating people with programs and advertising. Only time will tell if it works. Otherwise the future for some of
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