Australia's relunctance to see a problem

[freethefly 6]

Couldn't help but notice the similar attitude to that of the U.S. towards alcohol abuse. Very little attention to it being the leading factor in a wide range of problems that plagues society. Health; physical and mental problems that greatly shortens the life span of an abuser. Work; time lost due to the aforementioned. Greater risk to workplace and coworkers. Alcohol is indicated in more workplace accidents than all the drugs (legal and illegal) combined. Domestic; spousal abuse, child abuse, divorce. Criminal; DUI, anti-social behavoir, sexual assault, violence, auto accidents... The list goes on forever. With a drug that is so widely indicated why is it that it is so widely pushed and accepted? Alcohol is and has been one of the biggest drains, if not the biggest, on the tax dollar. No ones says anything about this. Certianly not the government. The alcohol industry is powerful enough to keep them deep in their pockets while they reap major profit from pushing their drug. All the while society suffers immensely from what comes from alcohol abuse.

UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL
by Ross Fitzgerald, (Source:Australian)
Regional News
13 Mar 2006
Australia
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IN 1977, Liberal Party senator Peter Baume chaired a crucial Senate report on Drug Problems in Australia. Subtitled An Intoxicated Society?, this report perceptively argued that, if drug problems were to be tackled effectively, all drugs, including tobacco and alcohol, would have to be dealt with.

But little was done until the declaration of Australia's modern "war on drugs" in 1985. After that year's drug summit, prime minister Bob Hawke and NSW premier Neville Wran gave doorstop interviews where they promised "wire taps", "border interdiction", more police: a clampdown on heroin. Unsurprisingly, they did not win the day. Victorian premier Jeff Kennett sensibly refused to sign up to a national campaign unless all drugs were included and only if prevention and treatment were given equal weight to law enforcement. The other states agreed. Thus was born the comprehensive and multilayered Australian approach to drugs.

A decade later, another prime minister added a further layer. John Howard announced his Tough on Drugs campaign which stressed, and in my opinion unduly emphasised, law enforcement. On the ground, however, better sense prevailed. This involved finding what worked in treatment and prevention, and testing this against the evidence; that is to say, learning from experience and critical reflection.

Up to now, Australia has done quite well reducing heroin deaths, keeping HIV/AIDS at a low rate, and now even cannabis use is declining. Indeed in these areas we are doing better than most countries. Plus tobacco use in Australia is now at its lowest level.

But there is an important piece missing. And it is the biggest piece in the jigsaw: namely alcohol with its massive social, medical and economic impact. The effects of alcohol misuse overwhelm the stretched emergency departments in every hospital, it burdens GPs, mental health units, social welfare organisations and justice systems.

In NSW last year alcohol fuelled the Cronulla riots and the upheavals in Macquarie Fields. Alcohol fuels myriad outbreaks of violence in our cities and suburbs and makes us all unsafe. It is easy to blame others -- the "riffraff", "rednecks", "ethnics", Aboriginal people and "today's youth" -- but alcohol itself escapes blame.

In Australia, as in Britain, politicians argue that mental health is the nation's most pressing health problem. Thus at the Council of Australian Governments, Howard and all the premiers have guaranteed they will deal with mental health by preparing a comprehensive plan to tackle mental health issues when next they meet. But the PM and premiers Steve Bracks and Morris Iemma have potentially diverted attention from alcohol by highlighting cannabis as the big problem instead of realising that society's biggest problem is booze.

In Australia, teenagers, especially girls, are increasingly bingeing on alcohol. Alcohol is directly linked to the main health problems in young people: depression, suicide, road and personal injuries, sexual assaults and other mental disorders. Adding to these immediate deleterious consequences are the long-term adverse effects on education, skill development and employment.

Those who suffer a continuing mental illness have lives shortened on average by as much as 20 years; 23 per cent of this is due to alcohol. Being dependent on alcohol at least doubles and perhaps even triples the risk of depression and other substance abuse; it also increases vulnerability to other mental disorders and physical disease. Up to 23 per cent of suicides in Australia are caused by alcohol and between 30 and 50 per cent of people who commit suicide have had a previous history of alcohol use disorder. Suicide is the commonest cause of death in alcohol-dependent people. Alcohol misuse penetrates family life, the workplace and the community at large.

Sadly, in relation to alcohol misuse, federal and state governments are pathetically unresponsive. We see an occasional summit here and an occasional plan there, but with insufficient or sometimes no funds allocated for effective implementation.

In the past eight years, the combined governments in Australia have invested about $2.2 billion in programs specifically aimed at illicit drugs. However, over the same period the same governments have allocated only about $50 million to deal with problems caused by alcohol.

What really takes the cake is that while teenage drinking is targeted in media campaigns, the federal Government picks up $200 million from underage drinkers through alcohol excise. Where is the public interest in that?

Who's pulling the strings? It's reasonable to suggest that the liquor industry and its lobbyists exercise undue influence on the federal and state governments, who should recognise alcohol as the nation's main drug of harm.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[Jasmin 0]

I'd hardly say we're ignorant of the problem, but you're readin one man's interpretation of both the scale of the problem and his belief in the ignorance/apathy toward it....

But that's just another Aussie's opinion...

xj

"I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both."

[Lindsey 0]

Alcohol has no significance whatsoever without a user or misuser. There's not benefit or cost without that factor--the person. Whatever the drug that's being used, if it's a problem, the problem lies with the person...not with the substance. Alcohol has benefits. Are you suggesting that alcohol should not be used at all? Or are you only suggesting that more efforts should be made to curb its abuse?

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[sundevil777 102]

I can understand the desire to outlaw alcohol. Too bad it not feasible.

I don't think drunk people are good company.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[sundevil777 102]

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are you only suggesting that more efforts should be made to curb its abuse?

Certainly! Drink responsibly ads are bullshit.

There are anti smoking groups that know how to show the ugly side of smoking. Why not show how uncool and unglamorous real world drunks are?

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[Lindsey 0]

I personally don't have a problem with people drinking responsibly....or even getting drunk as long as they're minding their own business in the comfort of their own homes.

Surely the intent of the post wasn't to suggest that nobody should use alcohol??? That's what I'm not getting. Is this another one of those black/white issues.....where we have no beautiful grey???

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[narcimund 0]

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I can understand the desire to outlaw alcohol. Too bad it not feasible.

Ah yes, good old conservative, freedom-loving, stay-out-of-people's-business values.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[freethefly 6]

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I'd hardly say we're ignorant of the problem, but you're readin one man's interpretation of both the scale of the problem and his belief in the ignorance/apathy toward it....

But that's just another Aussie's opinion...

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In the past eight years, the combined governments in Australia have invested about $2.2 billion in programs specifically aimed at illicit drugs. However, over the same period the same governments have allocated only about $50 million to deal with problems caused by alcohol.

What really takes the cake is that while teenage drinking is targeted in media campaigns, the federal Government picks up $200 million from underage drinkers through alcohol excise.

I wouldn't call this an opinion.
It is the same here in the U.S.. Alcohol is widely accepted with the knowledge of what devestation it causes. We all know it. I dare you to find one person who has not been affected in one form or another by alcohol. It is everywhere you look as it is so heavily pushed on the public. The alcohol industry proudly encourage a person to start drinking as soon as they are legal. Childern are baraged with ads daily showing what great fun it is to be drunk. NASCAR pushes alcohol while knowing that kids look up to the drivers who drive these cars that are basicly rolling billboards for the alcohol industry. People are not ignorant of what the exposure does. Look around it is everywhere.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[Lindsey 0]

There are definitely some people who use alcohol irresponsibly who cause problems for themselves and others. What do you propose we do with those people then?

Or are you saying that we should protect people from themselves??? I prefer to take my chances and learn from my mistakes.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[freethefly 6]

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I personally don't have a problem with people drinking responsibly....or even getting drunk as long as they're minding their own business in the comfort of their own homes.

Surely the intent of the post wasn't to suggest that nobody should use alcohol??? That's what I'm not getting. Is this another one of those black/white issues.....where we have no beautiful grey???

linz

The emphasis is on abuse and lack of education towards alcohol. In no way do I advocate prohibiton. Alcohol should not be advertised as being the "in thing to do", but shown aggressivly for what it is and the havoc it can cause in a persons life, much the same as the TRUTH commercials on tobacco. The alcohol industries little "drink responsiably" blurb at the end of their commercials have done nothing to promote responsiable use. Maybe showing the true side of alcohol would stem the rise in new drinkers every year. Education, not legislation, is the greatest tool to fix a problem.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[Lindsey 0]

Education, not legislation, is the greatest tool to fix a problem.

Yeah. My thoughts too.

In my experience, though, people who are VERY educated about substance abuse can one day find themselves the substance abusers....it sneaks up on folks. However....I think that we've learned that people who use younger are more likely to have problems down the road. Educating kids about substance abuse may be helpful. But the data may just be correlational data, and if those same people start using later, they're still likely to become addicts/alcoholics....who knows.

I think REAL education is the key. Not just a bunch of scare tactics. Those aren't really useful, imho. I've just started an evidence-based book about addiction. If it's worth the time it takes to read it, I'll fill ya' in....

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[Jasmin 0]

Whilst we appreciate the empathy, Australia is not the USA.
(Hey someone might like to remind John Howard of that one once in awhile....)

If you want something to kick a stink about at Australians, start with obesity, smoking and suicide.

Coronary heart disease is still the leading cause of death here and its preventable.
Most people don't even know how to recognise the symptoms of our second biggest killer, strokes.
Smoking related diseases are a huge killer, particularly lung cancer.
And we have one of the highest rates of teen suicide anywhere.

We know it’s a problem, but its not the only one!

xj

"I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both."

[akarunway 1]

And to that I say. Now I'm going to make a stiff drink and go smoke a cigarette before eating my porkloin off the grill.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

[sundevil777 102]

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I can understand the desire to outlaw alcohol. Too bad it not feasible.

Ah yes, good old conservative, freedom-loving, stay-out-of-people's-business values.

I'd also prefer that cigarretes could be outlawed, I think you might agree that libs are bigger advocates of this position, right?

Actually, outlawed is too strong a term. I just wish there was a lot less of both used.

I'm not quite so predictable as you might think.

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[freethefly 6]

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Whilst we appreciate the empathy, Australia is not the USA.
(Hey someone might like to remind John Howard of that one once in awhile....)

If you want something to kick a stink about at Australians, start with obesity, smoking and suicide.

Coronary heart disease is still the leading cause of death here and its preventable.
Most people don't even know how to recognise the symptoms of our second biggest killer, strokes.
Smoking related diseases are a huge killer, particularly lung cancer.
And we have one of the highest rates of teen suicide anywhere.

We know it’s a problem, but its not the only one!

I wasn't exactly pointing at Australia. The article was just the starting point on alcohol abuse.
I am sure that all countries have this very same problem with alcohol and turning a blind eye on it. What I am asking is why does society in whole and our very governments do virtually little to stem the problem as a multitude of societies problems are alcohol related.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[Nightingale 0]

Alcohol can be a good, pleasant, and sometimes healthy item when consumed in moderation at appropriate times. Like anything, it becomes dangerous when abused or used irresponsibly.

[jakee 1,563]

If alcohol was something you smoked or snorted it would probably be subject to the same laws as cocaine. However we drink it and it can be made to taste pretty damn good, so it remains socially acceptable while other less potent drugs are criminalised.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[billvon 3,070]

>If alcohol was something you smoked or snorted it would
>probably be subject to the same laws as cocaine.

We smoke tobacco. It's legal. Some people chew tobacco. That's legal too. What is common to both of them is that they both predate US society by quite a bit, and so were sort of 'grandfathered' in. Heck, alcohol has been around for so long that we have begun to evolve to deal with it!

[jakee 1,563]

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We smoke tobacco. It's legal. Some people chew tobacco. That's legal too. What is common to both of them is that they both predate US society by quite a bit, and so were sort of 'grandfathered' in. Heck, alcohol has been around for so long that we have begun to evolve to deal with it!

Even tobacco is beginning to feel the pinch with no many places banning smoking in public buildings, bars, restaurants etc.

And although tobbacco may be more addictive than alcohol its effects on the user are far more subtle. When was the last time you saw a guy pick a fight, sexually harrass someone, crash their car and pass out in a pool of their own vomit because they smoked too many cigarettes in one night?

Now don't get me wrong, I do drink, don't smoke and don't use any illegal drugs. It just blows my mind how substances that have similar effects can be treated so differently.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[narcimund 0]

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We smoke tobacco. It's legal.

That's not a very good counter example. While tobacco is essentially 'legal', it's on the fast track to being so punitively regulated and taxed as to effectively simulate prohibition.

In other words, it's another way the US government creatively sidesteps the limits it no longer feels like abiding by.

First Class Citizen Twice Over

[billvon 3,070]

>While tobacco is essentially 'legal', it's on the fast track to being so punitively regulated . . .

Agreed, but alcohol is following a similar path (i.e. lower DWI limits, restrictions on where you can drink etc) so I think there are similarities.

[Shotgun 1]

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It just blows my mind how substances that have similar effects can be treated so differently.

Me too... And I think that the legality of alcohol plays a part in it being one of the biggest addiction problems in the U.S... Though I am not for prohibition, because we have seen that it doesn't work, and because I don't think it's the government's job to tell us what we can do to our own bodies (assuming we're not putting anyone else in danger)... But I do sometimes wonder if less dangerous drugs - such as marijuana - were legal, would that possibly cut down on the number of alcoholics? I mean, I realize it's bad to be addicted to anything... but I do think that there are some addicts who would choose marijuana over alcohol if they were both legal, and I feel fairly certain that marijuana is the less harmful of the two drugs.

But the real problem is finding a cure for addiction, or for underlying problems such as depression that lead to destructive behavior. And I think that if we put even half of the money that is currently being spent on the "war on drugs" into research instead, then we might actually make a little bit of progress in fixing the problem.

[sundevil777 102]

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In other words, it's another way the US government creatively sidesteps the limits it no longer feels like abiding by.

Doesn't Canada tax cigs even more than the US?

People are sick and tired of being told that ordinary and decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. I’m certainly not, and I’m sick and tired of being told that I am

[Tenshi 0]

We should all create a perfect world where everything dangerous or unhealthy is forbidden. No cigs, no drugs, no booze, no skydiving, no motorbikes, no sex without a condom unless you're married, no guns, no weapons what so ever. Diet soda, no BBQ's, no fries and burger places, cars run on electricity from windmills and their maximum speed is 55Mph (electronically reduced to 30mph when in the city). Movies and videogames should be constructive and non-violent, all full contact sports are outlawed, football is replaced by touch-football. Children have to wear helmets and backprotectors when the ride their bikes or climb a tree. Chuck Norris presents a cooking show, Schwarzenegger is a democrat. And finally:No porn allowed, so no internet either.

WOULDN'T THAT BE FUN???

[freethefly 6]

???????? This thread is not towards prohibition as you seem to indicate that it is. It is geared towards abuse and why it is not on a front burner. Alcohol, more than any other drug (yes, alcohol is a drug and an extremely dangerous one when abused) other than tobacco is indicated in a wide spectrum of personal and social problems that continues to plague society and chisel away at the tax dollars with no end in sight. All the while the alcohol industry continues to push their drug on the public and tout it to be fun and safe. It is my opinion that the alcohol industry is no better than someone who cooks meth and deals it to kids. The alcohol industry gears it's own commercials towards the youngest legal age drinkers with no repercussion for their action as drug dealers. With so many deaths (being second inline with tobacco for drug related death) why is it that alcohol use is so heavily encouraged?

Mind you, these numbers are abit old but are still true to current trends.
Annual Causes of Deaths in the US

Estimated U.S. deaths in 2000 attributed to:

Tobacco (Average 1990 - 94): ................................. 430,700 (1)
Alcohol (1996): ................................................. 110,640 (2)
Adverse Reactions to Prescription Drugs (1982 / 1998): .. 32,000 (3)
Suicide (1998): .................................................. 30,575 (4)
Homicide (1998): ............................................... 18,272 (5)
All licit and illicit drug-induced deaths (1998): ............. 16,926 (6)
Non-Steroidal Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (1992):............ 7,600 (7)
Marijuana: ...................................................... 0 (8)

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young