WA needs to 'Rethink Drink' as new figures show more young people at risk

Mental Health Minister Dr Graham Jacobs said new figures showed disturbing results when he launched the new phase of Western Australia's Rethink Drink campaign.

"Preliminary WA results from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey show that from 2004 to 2007 there was an increase of almost eight per cent in the proportion of 14 to 19-year-olds drinking at levels exposing themselves to short-term risk," Dr Jacobs said.

"We are still seeing unacceptably high proportions of both men and women in their twenties drinking at levels considered risky for short and long-term harm.

"For women in particular from 2004 to 2007, we have seen some concerning increases in the frequency with which young females are drinking alcohol at these harmful levels. 

"There has been an increase of about four per cent in the proportion of females aged 20-39 reporting drinking at high risk levels at least weekly or monthly.

"The number of women in the same age group drinking at risky levels for long-term harm has increased by almost five per cent.

"These are significant increases in alcohol consumption among our young people and we should all be concerned about this drinking culture."

The Rethink Drink alcohol education campaign aimed to reduce risky alcohol use by changing the acceptability of drunkenness, discouraging drunken behaviour and creating safer drinking environments.

"The TV advertisement is confronting and gives a realistic scenario of the type of serious injury that can occur when drunkenness is tolerated," the Minister said.

"This is highlighted because the same survey shows almost one in three people reported they had been a victim of an alcohol-related incident.

"This campaign is not about stopping people who want to enjoy a drink, but it is about the need for us all to do more to prevent drunkenness.

"The fact is that almost all of the harms and costs associated with risky drinking are largely preventable and there are a number of ways we can make a difference.

"We need to make it tough for people to get drunk by limiting the way that alcohol is made available and promoted and actively discourage friends, families and colleagues from getting drunk."

To address Western Australians' concerns that they did not have anyone they could call if they experienced alcohol-related crimes, Rethink Drink and Crime Stoppers had formed a partnership for reporting minor public order offences, anti-social behaviour, traffic offences, minor assaults, serious assaults and even homicide.

"If people begin reporting, there is a greater likelihood that these alcohol-related crimes can be stopped," Dr Jacobs said.

"If you have information regarding alcohol-related crime, for example, liquor outlets serving juveniles, adults supplying alcohol to minors or any other crime where alcohol abuse is a factor, ring the Crime Stoppers hotline on 1800 333 000."

The Rethink Drink campaign complements ongoing activities to address alcohol-related problems in different areas of the State.  These include community alcohol management plans, school alcohol education programs, responsible service of alcohol training, liquor licensing actions made possible by the new Liquor Control Act, increased liquor licensing enforcement activity by WA Police and enhanced alcohol treatment services.

In an effort to target young women in particular, West Coast FEVER netball players wear the Rethink Drink message on their uniforms in a timely partnership between Healthway and the WA National Netball League Team.

The five week Rethink Drink Alcohol Education Campaign is a partnership project between the Injury Control Council WA (ICCWA) and the Drug and Alcohol Office (DAO). 

More information is available at http://www.rethinkdrink.com.au