About Pills, Powder and Plonk.
Australia has long been recognised as a drug taking society. The landmark Senate Report in 1981, chaired by then Senator Dr Peter Baume painted a stark picture of the way excessive alcohol and prescription drug consumption impacted on the lives of all Australians. With the exception of our efforts to curb drink driving, we appear to have achieved little in the way we use and misuse alcohol. The estimated cost of alcohol related problems now stands at a staggering $36 billion per year. The economic impact of all other drugs (excluding tobacco) is in comparison, modest at $6 billion.
Communities throughout Australia are increasingly concerned about the problems posed by excessive alcohol and drug fuelled violence. Many communities and businesses have taken action in an effort to reduce alcohol and drug related harm. Efforts at the national level to tackle our excessive alcohol consumption have been limited and poorly coordinated. Building our effectiveness to advocate for better public policy from local, state and federal governments is increasingly seen as important for communities to 'take back the streets' and turn around the level of alcohol and drug-fuelled violence.
This seminar will examine:
- The problems of alcohol and drug related harm in communities
- The role of marketing in alcohol use
- Community advocacy and action for better alcohol-related policy
- A range of community based initiatives to tackle alcohol related harm including those in Indigenous communities.
Presenters:
Chris Raine
Founder of "Hello Sunday Morning" and 2011 recipient of Young Australian of the Year, QLD. Bio
Dr Mark Daglish
B.Sc., M.B.Ch.B., M.R.C.Psych., M.D. FRANZCP
Senior Lecturer in Addiction Psychiatry, University of Queensland &
Director of Addiction Psychiatry, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital. Bio
Paul Dillon
Founder of Drug & Alcohol Research Training Australia &
Author of 'Teenagers, Alcohol & Drugs'. Bio
