Mr GILES - 2008-10-30
Will the minister agree that there is an alcoholism epidemic affecting a large amount of residents in Alice Springs? Will the minister agree that the current alcohol restrictions are not dealing with the issue of alcoholism for these chronic alcoholics? Will the minister inform the parliament what he is doing in Alice Springs to address alcoholism and reduce alcohol-fuelled violence and antisocial behaviour in Alice Springs of these alcoholics?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for his question. There is no doubt, as the Chief Minister alluded to, alcohol problems are a major issue for Alice Springs. That is why, some two years ago now in 2006, alcohol restrictions were brought in to Alice Springs, along the lines of reducing harm and supply. They are the main elements of our alcohol reduction strategy.
Regarding the effects of that, I believe they have been quite large in that, basically, there has been a 15% decrease in the consumption of alcohol over the past two years, and a 10% decrease in takeaway sales. The initial data seems to indicate that there has been a 40% decrease in admissions to the sobering-up shelter; 21% fewer admissions to treatment services for alcohol problems; and an overall reduction in the number of admissions to Alice Springs hospital for alcohol-related conditions.
The dry areas was also implemented, which was an initiative of the Alice Springs Town Council. I am aware that these measures have been controversial, and there are a number of Alice Springs residents who do not believe that they have been effective. That is why I commissioned an independent study by the Menzies School of Health Research into these restrictions, and the effects that they have had. I have also given an undertaking that those results will be made public ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! My question is not about the supply of alcohol or consumption of alcohol. The intent of the question is about how he is dealing with chronic alcoholics. That is the intent of the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you can answer the question as closely as possible to the one asked, bearing in mind it was quite a complex question.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I thought it would have been self-evident that supply reduction is one facet of dealing with alcohol-related problems. I am coming to the end of that part now, member for Braitling.
I have given an undertaking to the Alice Springs community that the results of this independent evaluation by the Menzies School of Health Research will be made public. I have also given the undertaking that if there are measures found by the Menzies School to be completely ineffective, they will be ditched. Other recommendations might go to adjusting various measures, and I undertake to do that as well.
My advice, in terms of alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Alice Springs, is that there is adequate numbers of places within Alice Springs that cater for people who may be given court orders. It was very interesting to speak with the magistrates last time I was in Alice Springs, and for them to say that they are wholeheartedly embracing the mechanisms that government has put forward in prohibition orders and intervention orders.
The other thing that I, and this government, has given an undertaking about is that we realise we need to take the next steps in relation to what can be done for people who are a danger to themselves and to their community through their abuse of alcohol. These are things that we are further investigating as a government. The previous member for Stuart, Peter Toyne, introduced the alcohol court and the intervention and prohibition orders. He said about 300 in two years. We are on target with those numbers, but we also realise that there is more to be done. We believe the facilities are there, and we will make further investments in facilities and strategies to address this very important issue.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Braitling for his question. There is no doubt, as the Chief Minister alluded to, alcohol problems are a major issue for Alice Springs. That is why, some two years ago now in 2006, alcohol restrictions were brought in to Alice Springs, along the lines of reducing harm and supply. They are the main elements of our alcohol reduction strategy.
Regarding the effects of that, I believe they have been quite large in that, basically, there has been a 15% decrease in the consumption of alcohol over the past two years, and a 10% decrease in takeaway sales. The initial data seems to indicate that there has been a 40% decrease in admissions to the sobering-up shelter; 21% fewer admissions to treatment services for alcohol problems; and an overall reduction in the number of admissions to Alice Springs hospital for alcohol-related conditions.
The dry areas was also implemented, which was an initiative of the Alice Springs Town Council. I am aware that these measures have been controversial, and there are a number of Alice Springs residents who do not believe that they have been effective. That is why I commissioned an independent study by the Menzies School of Health Research into these restrictions, and the effects that they have had. I have also given an undertaking that those results will be made public ...
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! My question is not about the supply of alcohol or consumption of alcohol. The intent of the question is about how he is dealing with chronic alcoholics. That is the intent of the question.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, if you can answer the question as closely as possible to the one asked, bearing in mind it was quite a complex question.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I thought it would have been self-evident that supply reduction is one facet of dealing with alcohol-related problems. I am coming to the end of that part now, member for Braitling.
I have given an undertaking to the Alice Springs community that the results of this independent evaluation by the Menzies School of Health Research will be made public. I have also given the undertaking that if there are measures found by the Menzies School to be completely ineffective, they will be ditched. Other recommendations might go to adjusting various measures, and I undertake to do that as well.
My advice, in terms of alcohol rehabilitation facilities in Alice Springs, is that there is adequate numbers of places within Alice Springs that cater for people who may be given court orders. It was very interesting to speak with the magistrates last time I was in Alice Springs, and for them to say that they are wholeheartedly embracing the mechanisms that government has put forward in prohibition orders and intervention orders.
The other thing that I, and this government, has given an undertaking about is that we realise we need to take the next steps in relation to what can be done for people who are a danger to themselves and to their community through their abuse of alcohol. These are things that we are further investigating as a government. The previous member for Stuart, Peter Toyne, introduced the alcohol court and the intervention and prohibition orders. He said about 300 in two years. We are on target with those numbers, but we also realise that there is more to be done. We believe the facilities are there, and we will make further investments in facilities and strategies to address this very important issue.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016