Alcohol restrictions a powerful tool for communities

There is growing evidence that alcohol restrictions are effective in empowering communities to reduce the immediate and long term impacts of alcohol.

Director of Perth's Telethon Kids Institute, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, said Aboriginal community leaders in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing should be commended for their courage in advocating for and implementing restrictions.

It follows the release yesterday of a report  from the Drug and Alcohol Office that confirmed sustained reduction in alcohol-related harm in Halls Creek since the introduction of restrictions on take-away alcohol in 2009.

"The reduction in alcohol-related violence and other harms is encouraging and will have a very positive impact on not only the individuals, but importantly, children and families," Professor Carapetis said.

"We would expect that the rates of alcohol use in pregnancy will also have been reduced and hence fewer children will suffer the devastating and irreversible effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)."

Among the highest rates of FAS worldwide have recently been reported in the Fitzroy Valley.  Professor Carapetis said it is likely that in the Halls Creek region rates are just as high.

"These communities recognised the problem and are taking action. They can only stop the flood if they are supported by alcohol regulation that starts with turning off the tap.

"Of course this needs to be accompanied by prevention strategies and effective services, but these two communities have demonstrated that we can aim to make FASD history and give children a positive start to life.

"There is now evidence that not only should these restrictions be continued, there could be considerable benefits from extending them to other communities with similar patterns of alcohol use, as long as it is done with appropriate consultation and local leadership."