If I hear the term ‘wowser’ or the phrase ‘nanny state’ again, I’m going to scream.

Last week in The West Australian (and as a former West Australian, yes, I am equipped to comment), Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi claimed that liquor licensing restrictions are "strangling the city” and inhibiting its growth.

“I cannot believe the fact there are now restrictions on the sale of energy drinks!" Ms Scaffidi said.

Ms Scaffidi, that would be because a recent US study found that patrons consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks are at greater risk of harm through drink driving, violence, and unsafe sex. This study contributes to a growing body of literature indicating that mixing energy drinks and alcohol has negative health and safety consequences in young adults.

There’s more though.

Ms Scaffidi also says that steps to force some Northbridge pubs and clubs to close early could contribute to antisocial behaviour, rather than curb it.

Well, that’s easily refuted. Australian research has shown that extended trading hours for licensed premises (from as little as one to two hours) can increases violent assaults in and around premises by up to 70%.

The article goes on to say that “In WA’s nanny state, there is no having a quiet drink on Australia Day.”

Let’s face it – WA’s drinking culture is not one of ‘quiet drinks’. Who can forget the mini riot on South Perth’s foreshore back in 2004?  By why are we punished, people bleat, for the actions of a few?

That would be because the bulk of alcohol related harm can be attributed to the majority of the population who are moderate drinkers whom binge drink on occasion. It can not be attributed to heavy drinkers who constitute a distinct minority.

The evidence is clear: the most reliable and cost effective way reduce alcohol related harm, including violence, is to reduce the supply of alcohol. If anyone has evidence to the contrary, I’d love to hear from you.

Until next week,

Sarah Jaggard
Community Mobilisation Policy Officer 

Nick Clegg, UK Deputy Prime Minister, on drink-driving:

"No one likes car crashes. But to imply that drinking somehow impairs one's ability to control a vehicle is just scaremongering – and it's precisely this sort of jittery overreaction that causes most accidents in the first place. The simple fact is that only by calming our minds with alcohol can we keep a steady hand on the tiller."

I am the mother of 2 girls aged 17 and 14. I am very lucky in that, so far, neither is particularly interested in consuming alcohol. We talk very openly on the topic at home and I feel if anything they too would prefer to go to parties knowing there would be no pressure to consume alcohol. My 17 year old has found it is usual for alcohol to be present at all the parties she attends and these parties have ALWAYS taken place at the homes of friends. She has not felt the protection of adults denying alcohol to the party goers and on several occasions has had to help some of her "silly" friends who have become drunk preventing her from a really good time.

Another observation I have made is that the girls attend an inner city private school for girls and not once has the school put on a dance. There are formals in year 11 and 12 but not regular dances which were common when I went to school. I would like to encourage schools to put on dances as teachers are far better equipped to discipline young people than parents. There would be an expectation that no alcohol or other drugs would be permitted, there would be a formal finish time, the parents would feel secure that there would be better supervision of participants AND the children themselves would feel safer. Both the South Yarra Tennis Club and the Kooyong Tennis Club put on dances for their members and they are such good fun for the children. But I believe it should be also done through the schools to open up the opportunity to the wider community.

Fiona, Victoria
 

Are you involved in innovative and creative work with young people on preventing, treating and/or reducing harm from drug use?

Is your research shedding new light on the way we approach drug issues with young people?

Do you have a story we can all learn from?

We want to hear about it!

The 6th International Drugs and Young People Conference: Making the Connections (May 2-4, 2011, Melbourne) is seeking presentations for inclusion in the program. Presentations can include oral papers, posters, workshops or performances.

You are invited to submit your proposed presentation for consideration (open until Friday 12 November 2010).

For further information please visit the Australian Drug Foundation website. Queries can be directed to the Program Coordinator, via email or phone 03 9645 6311

Up to the challenge
The Standard, 25 October 2010
An intensive 32 hours of creativity and discussion - with just four hours sleep - was the first step in a community-led campaign to tackle the region's issues surrounding alcohol.

Alcohol price spike fuels switch to ecstasy
The Age, 23 October 2010
A new phenomenon of young people ''switching'' to the increasingly cheap party drug ecstasy has been fuelled by rising alcohol prices, according to drug researchers, nightclub owners and the people themselves - the nightclubbers.

Breath testing review sought
The West Australian, 22 October 2010
Road safety experts have called for a review of the police breath-testing regime after new figures revealed the number of tests has dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade.

Small bar owners 'not to blame' for violence
The West Australian, 25 October 2010
Inner city small-bar owners say their venues are helping change Perth's culture of irresponsible drinking and are not to blame for an increase in violence in the city.

Universities: a marketing arm of the alcohol industry?
Croakey, 25 October 2010
Public health efforts to reduce the harm caused by risky alcohol consumption should be paying much more attention to university campuses, says public health policy consultant Margo Saunders.