AUSTRALIA has a drinking problem – and it’s only going to get worse.
A study has revealed more than 75 per cent of people believe we drink too much. More than four million Australians are drinking to get drunk, including two million who get rotten at least once a month. The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) poll found almost 80 per cent of people believed our grog culture would remain the same or get worse over the next five to 10 years unless something was done. FARE is calling for mandatory health warning labels – similar to those found on cigarette packaging – for alcohol products. Chief executive Michael Thorn said: “The annual alcohol poll consistently tells us two things: first, there is an awareness and acceptance by Australians that we have a serious problem with excessive drinking. Second, Australians want change – they believe this issue has been ignored.”
via We think we’re a nation full of heavy drinkers, new study finds | thetelegraph.com.au.
Paul Dillon will be speaking at our Mental Health and Wellbeing Seminars on drugs, alcohol and young people. The remaining seminars for this year will be in Canberra, Adelaide and Sydney. To register or download the brochure click on one of these locations or go to the events section of our website. These events are extremely popular so we urge you to book your seat soon!
I think there are some mixed messages being promoted in the media at present that may or man NOT be endorsed by Govt legislation or Health and Well Being research. Only recently I saw on the Project Ch 7 TV a presentation about legal underage drinking under the supervision of a parent. Michael Carr Gregg came on shortly after to put forward the case that they juvenile brain is still developing and any consumption under the age of 18 could be considered harmful. What message should we be teaching in schools? Does each state have a different slant? Where does harm minimisation fit in to all of this?