Dear GrogWatch,

I am travelling around Victoria at the moment doing training work with various licensed premises. On our way down to Swan Hill for the night I went for a walk near where the few late-night Licensed Premises are located after checking to our Motel.

A few of the local late-night licensed venues have these “R U DRUNK - $478” signs spray painted onto the foothpath approximately 50m around the vicinity of the licensed premises. Obviously the intention was to capture the attention of the locals heading and going out from the licensed premises.

I spoke with a local Licensee of a popular local late night venue and asked him if the spray painted floor signs have had any impact on educating and getting the message across to the punters, and one of their response to me was “definitely” some people standing around or approaching the venue or going home read the message out loud and in some cases this curbs their behaviour in some way”

Apparently this is an initiative from the local Police and they continue to spray over the sign on a weekly basis so it does not fade away from pedestrian traffic. Well done to Swan Hill Police.

Regards,

Cetin

Over 4 million Australian adults admit to drinking to get drunk, with over 60% of Gen Y drinkers engaging in such risky drinking behaviour. The report entitled Annual Alcohol Poll: Community Attitudes and Behaviours commissioned by the Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER Foundation), also found that over five million Australians have been affected by alcohol-related violence, including 2.6 million who have been direct victims of such violent incidences. A majority of Australians (80%) believe we are a nation with a drinking problem, while 82% also feel more action is needed to fight the damage caused by alcohol misuse.

The Australian Drug Foundation is coming to regional centres throughout Victoria to discuss alcohol issues in your community. These free information forums are a chance to hear from local speakers, as well as learn more about what the Foundation is doing to address alcohol harms.

The next forum will be held in Traralgon.

When: Wednesday 27 April 2011
Where: Quality Inn Latrobe Convention Centre, 5601 Princes Hwy, Traralgon. RACV VicRoads country street directory—P272 K4.

RSVP by Thursday 21 April 2011, to adf@adf.org.au or (03) 9278 8100.

The forum will be divided into two sessions. The two sessions target different community sectors but you are welcome to come to one or both—just nominate your preference when you RSVP.

Session 1: Reducing alcohol harm in the community

4.30pm–6.00pm, refreshments from 4.00pm
For local government health workers, alcohol and other drug workers and interested parents.

• Local alcohol-related issues: Andy Milbourne, Chair, RoadSafe Gippsland/Leading Senior Constable, Latrobe Highway Patrol
• Secondary supply: Taking action to change legislation, Sarah Jaggard, Australian Drug Foundation
• Your shout: An honest discussion about alcohol by young people for young people - A preview of the Australian Drug Foundation's new educational DVD.

Session 2: Alcohol management & policies in sports clubs

6.30pm–8.45pm, refreshments from 6.00pm
For sports clubs and their communities.

• Opening address and the Good Sports program, Rod Glenn-Smith, State Manager, Good Sports, Australian Drug Foundation
• DVD presentation Robin Lowe, President Sale Tennis Club
• A local perspective, Responsible Alcohol Victoria representative
• Free "Club liquor licensing" seminar (this session is in lieu of new entrants training).

The upcoming 6th International Conference on Drugs and Young People: Making the Connections presents a diverse range of international speakers.
As well as keynotes speakers from Canada and Mexico, there will be papers describing work and programs from Cambodia, New Zealand, India and the USA.

Tiny Toones is a non-governmental grassroots organisation based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, seeking to help the most disadvantaged youth using art, music and dance as a means of engagement. Romi Grossberg will speak about the use of creative tools in the empowerment of youth and the prevention of drug use.

Te Tira Horomaka is a culturally relevant youth participation and leadership program in New Zealand, offering an experience to reconnect with cultural identity, strengthened engagement in education and reduced harm from alcohol and drugs. Mike Moss, from Community Youth Action, will present on this initiative.

The full program and full registration details are available at the 6DYP website

Queries can be directed to the Program Coordinator, via email or phone 03 9645 6311

Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation survey wants ban on alcoholic energy drinks
News.com.au. 12 April 2011
Three out of every four people surveyed believe mixing alcohol with energy drinks isn't a good idea, and 59 per cent support a ban on buying pre-mixed versions.The Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation says its survey results proves the need for greater scrutiny on the issue of alcoholic energy drinks.

Changes planned for alcohol ID cards
ABC News, 13 April 2011
About 11,000 people in Alice Springs and Katherine will need to obtain other forms of identification to buy alcohol later this year. Some residents in the towns now use Tangentyere identification or other cards to meet a photo ID requirement. The Northern Territory Government is changing its ID scanner system and will only accept driving licences, proof-of-age cards and passports.

Remote rort pays for alcohol
The Australian, 13 April 2011
Indigenous welfare recipients in the Northern Territory are exploiting loopholes in the federal government's income quarantine system to obtain cash for alcohol and cigarettes. In one example of the scam, welfare recipients buy clothes with the quarantine system's swipe card, then return the goods next day on the basis of incorrect size and get a cash refund from the store.

Benefits of alcohol management plan seen in Wik community
The Australian, 13 April 2011
THE landmark Three Rivers tavern at Aurukun on western Cape York has finished its life as the pub with no beer and will now be turned into a cultural conservation and community activity centre. The local council has called for tenders to transform the disused tavern, once the town's social hub, into a multi-purpose centre, and is seeking "an innovative business person" to run it.

No funds for foetal alcohol research
Sydney Morning Herald, 14 April 2011
The future of research into foetal alcohol syndrome in the isolated West Australian community of Fitzroy Valley is at risk. Just nine months ago the federal government committed $1 million to research the impact of the syndrome, which often leaves newborn children with severe mental handicaps.

Time to scrap happy hours to relieve hospitals
The Advertiser, 14 April 2011
Health SA wants limits on alcohol discounting like happy hours to relieve strain on the hospital system. The department, backed by the Australian Medical Association, has been lobbying the Liquor Licensing Commissioner and government to make changes to the Liquor Licensing Act to restrict practices which encourage patrons to drink quickly to cash in on the discounts.

Most want action against alcohol abuse
The Canberra Times, 15 April 2011
Eighty per cent of Australians believe that the nation has a problem with excess drinking or alcohol abuse and the majority want the legal drinking age lifted. A national poll commissioned by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation has also found that 82 per cent of Australians believe that more action is needed to combat alcohol abuse.