Summary - Department of Health and Ageing

Alcohol taxation: changes in the price of alcohol usually lead to changes in overall
consumption, particularly among younger and heavier drinkers. Recent Australian
Government moves to reduce taxation on low alcohol beer are likely to result in lower
levels of alcohol-related harm as low alcohol beer takes a market share from higher
strength brands. There is good Australian evidence that hypothecated taxes (specific
taxes used to fund treatment and prevention programs) can reduce consumption and
harm.
Physical availability: levels of alcohol-related harm in a given geographical area are
closely related to the number of alcohol outlets in that area. The effects of changing
the number of outlets, however, varies according to the type of outlet and the alcohol
products that form the bulk of sales.
Changes in late night trading hours: even small changes, although they may not
affect overall levels of consumption, can lead to significant changes in local levels of
harm.
Responsible service policies: the aim is to reduce intoxication in licensed premises by
promoting food and non-alcoholic or low alcohol alternatives, and training staff to
recognise intoxication and delay or stop service, as appropriate. These approaches are
generally effective if supported by management and the enforcement of laws that
prohibit service to intoxicated customers.
Licensee codes of conduct: these voluntary agreements between police, licensees and
local councils cover both standards of service and promotions; for example, banning
practices such as heavily discounting drinks, or restricting Happy Hours. Often termed
Accords, these agreements can contribute to significant reductions in alcohol-related
violence in the short-term, especially when accompanied by liquor law enforcement,
but it has proved difficult to sustain these gains for longer than a few months.
Dram shop laws: in Canada and the US, these laws allow a person who is harmed by
an intoxicated person to sue the licensee who served the alcohol to the intoxicated
person. The potential for similar action exists under Australian civil law. The American
literature suggests that such civil actions have a modest deterrent effect.
Restricting the supply of alcohol in Indigenous communities: Indigenous
communities have taken two main approaches to reducing supply: declaring ‘dry’ areas
and extending controls on availability, through liquor licensing legislation. These
approaches can be effective but communities need support to enforce them, and
underlying policy must promote Indigenous control. The ‘wet canteens’ established by
some Indigenous communities can have both risks and benefits for the community.
There is strong evidence for the effectiveness of local licensing restrictions in
communities with high Indigenous populations e.g. restrictions on the days and hours
of sale and on the type and quantity of liquor that can be purchased.
The recreational use and misuse of pharmaceuticals—particularly benzodiazepines and
narcotic analgesics such as codeine—are a matter of concern. The following responses
have been made.
The Doctor Shopping project: this identifies and counsels patients who visit general
practitioners very frequently.
Rescheduling of some prescription drugs: mood altering prescription drugs,
particularly benzodiazepines, are often diverted to recreational use. Injection of
temazepam, one of the most sought-after drugs for this purpose, is associated with