Alcohol policy reforms: Real progress but more is needed
After many years of dedicated research involving a large collaboration of academics, government officials and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector, including Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress), the LEARNT report was released yesterday.
It was a complex journey attempting to unpack the impact of a number of critical alcohol policy reforms – including the Banned Drinker Register (BDR), the Minimum Unit Price (floor price), Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspections (PALIs) and reduced trading hours – especially during the global COVID-19 pandemic
Despite this complexity, the overall message is simple and clear: The Northern Territory continues to make substantial progress in preventing alcohol-related harm through effective supply reduction measures. Most notably, alcohol-related deaths have almost halved and are now, for the first time, close to the national average.
The LEARNT report also highlights the need for ongoing adaptation and refinement of alcohol policies to ensure maximum impact and to retain the measures that are working.
Importantly, the report clearly demonstrates that the floor price was effective. Thankfully, here in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), a voluntary liquor accord has continued and is being observed by the majority of alcohol retailers.
Congress supports the report’s recommendations to strengthen the Banned Drinker Register, including trialling its use on licensed premises and ensuring that more people who need to be on the BDR are included appropriately.
Since the period examined in the report, additional measures have been introduced in Alice Springs, including two alcohol-free takeaway days and further reductions in trading hours. These initiatives have proven highly effective.
Congress supports independent evaluations of alcohol policy measures. We need to know if what we are doing is making a difference.
And, while supply reduction measures are clearly effective, they are not sufficient on their own. Addressing the underlying social determinants of alcohol dependency and misuse, including poverty, education, housing and employment, remains essential.
“There is also a critical need to strengthen community-led, “bottom-up” approaches that support behaviour change, particularly for men.” Ah Chee continued.
“We need to encourage more people to make use of alcohol treatment and rehabilitation services and expand access to these services where they don’t exist.”
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Interviews not available for this release.
Media Contact: Kate Buckland kate.buckland@caac.org.au 0408 741 691
