A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has warned that the problem of binge drinking in Australia is not an issue to consider in isolation and has called for an interagency response to tackle this social problem.

 

Dr Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron, from the CSU School of Policing Studies, says the federal government's recent decision to allocate $53 million to the fight on binge drinking is a welcome addition to the many and sometimes silent local efforts to prevent the problem.

 

“NSW Police, with its new School Liaison Police (SLP) program, has also increased its effort for the past two years to raise awareness among the youngest involved in binge drinking,” said Dr Bartkowiak-Théron.

 

“In addition to work already done by Crime Prevention Officers, Youth Liaison Officers and Licensing Officers, SLP officers regularly run safe partying and drug and alcohol abuse prevention workshops for appropriate groups in all NSW high schools.”

 

“The workshops are run at critical times of the year, such as the months leading up to school formals and celebrations. These presentations, created in partnership with education services, such as the NSW Department of Education and Training and the School Safety Response Unit, address the health, behaviour, victimisation and crime related consequences of heavy alcohol consumption, drunkenness and binge drinking.”

 

The CSU academic said binge drinking or excessive sessional alcohol consumption has been identified as social problem in western societies since the mid 1990s. It was flagged as a potential epidemic since the 1920s, when academics, law enforcement and health professionals first unveiled 'cycles' and evolutionary patterns in recreational drug use.

 

“In a society where pursuit of pleasure and alleviation of stress are a daily preoccupation of the general population, recreational drugs have become an easy means to reach relief and release tension,” said Dr Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron.

The numerous and varied reasons for binge drinking include boredom, fun, peer pressure, stress, a desire to 'fit in' or  a wish of letting go and reach a state of 'controlled loss of control'.

 

She contends that the problem is intrinsically linked to many other topics, such as the evolution of other illicit and legal recreational drug use, national and local policies surrounding licensing, general health awareness, the sale of alcoholic beverages, fashion, age, gender and the socio-economic status of consumers.

 

“All these issues have at some time impacted alcohol consumption and made binge drinking a social phenomenon and problem identified by governments as a national priority, not just in Australia but throughout the world.”

 

In addition to NSW Police Force, many agencies have been designing programs and prevention campaigns for the past two decades to address heavy alcohol consumption throughout all age groups and provide counselling and support services to people who still shyly reach out to these support services.

 

“The new federal funding seems to be a genuine effort towards supporting such initiatives and towards further inclusion of critical stakeholders in holistically tackling the problem,” said Dr Isabelle Bartkowiak-Théron.

 

“In this context, let us hope that steps will be taken to look for fresh solutions and ideas in a leisure market that is constantly changing and searching for 'the next best thing' in recreational medium,” she concluded.