Australian Medical Association Supports Growing Momentum To End Alcohol Abuse Among Australians

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Article Date: 14 Mar 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said that the AMA is encouraged by the growing momentum by the Government to end alcohol abuse in all areas of the Australian community.

Dr Capolingua said the broader terms of reference of the Senate Inquiry into alcohol abuse would assist the Government to build on the initiatives contained in its National Binge Drinking Strategy announced earlier this week.

She said that today's agreement by Australia's six major sporting bodies to work together to address binge drinking among young people is another important step.

"While it is vitally important that we address the binge drinking epidemic among our young people, we must also tackle the crippling social and economic effects of alcohol abuse in all sectors of the community," Dr Capolingua said.

"The AMA supports the Government's 'whole of community' approach to the problem and would like to see the National Binge Drinking Strategy complemented with strategies that cover all forms of alcohol abuse in the total population, especially among the socially and economically disadvantaged.

"The Government should ensure that taxes reflect the total volume of alcohol in products, and products such as 'alcopops' that are targeted specifically at the youth market should be taxed at a rate that makes the retail price a disincentive for young people.

"Labelling on alcohol products must include information about health risks and clearly show alcohol content. Alcohol advertising should not contribute to a culture that trivialises the dangers of alcohol.

"Alcohol education and rehabilitation programs must be expanded and made more accessible.

"As a community, we need to look at alcohol misuse and harm across all groups and ages, and examine ways to prevent the serious harm caused by alcohol abuse," Dr Capolingua said.

According to the most recent estimates from the National drug Strategy, the total costs of alcohol abuse to the community are at least $7.5 billion per annum. This includes lost productivity, premature death, treatment costs, crime and violence.

A 2007 study by Alcohol Related Brain Injury Australia Services (Arbias) suggests that more than 200, 000 Australians suffer undiagnosed alcohol related brain damage, and that two million others are at risk due to the amount of alcohol they consume.

Australian Medical Association