Media Releases and Communiques
New plan launched to promote the responsible use of alcohol in Australia
Australia is now among the global leaders in efforts to promote sensible drinking and reduce the harms associated with alcohol misuse.
MW 66/01
1 August 2001
New plan launched to promote the responsible use of alcohol in Australia
Australia is now among the global leaders in efforts to promote sensible drinking and reduce the harms associated with alcohol misuse, following a decision by the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy at its annual meeting in Adelaide yesterday to endorse a National Alcohol Strategy.
The National Alcohol Strategy and Action Plan has involved an impressive level of collaboration between governments, non-government agencies, community groups, individual members of the Australian public as well as the alcohol beverage and hospitality industry.
"The Strategy adopts a truly national approach to prevent and protect Australians from the risks associated with the misuse of alcohol products," Dr Wooldridge said.
"The National Expert Advisory Committee on Alcohol, chaired by Professor Charles Watson from Curtin University, must be congratulated and acknowledged for their important work that informed the Strategy.
"Whilst acknowledging the social role of alcohol to Australians and the potential health benefits, the Strategy aims to reduce the amount of disease, injury and social disorder associated with high risk drinking.
"Actions to assist young people are especially highlighted in the Strategy and Action Plan that will work towards reducing the impact of such binge drinking on young people's health as well as that of the broader community," Dr Wooldridge said.
Dr Wooldridge said every year in Australia over 3,200 people die and over 72,000 are hospitalised because of alcohol related problems.
The cost to the Australian economy alone is estimated to be in the order of $4.5 billion each year.
The National Alcohol Strategy, endorsed by Health Ministers in Adelaide yesterday, sets out a comprehensive range of strategies to tackle the problems associated with high-risk drinking.
"The Strategy is an important forerunner to new safe drinking guidelines that I expect to announce later this year.
"The guidelines will provide the community with the most up-to-date medical advice from the National Health and Medical Research Council on safe levels of drinking and will cater to the circumstances of particular groups, such as young people," Dr Wooldridge said.
The Commonwealth government has allocated $4 million for a range of initiatives to support the implementation of the Strategy including promoting the guidelines.
Media Contact: Craig Simonetto, Office of Dr Wooldridge 0413 722 281
