ALCOHOL is sparking more widespread community-based issues than ice and other drug use in Ballarat.
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Drinking is the primary reason people present to Ballarat Community Health’s Alcohol and Other Drug services team.
Experts say there needs to be greater education and awareness in the physical and mental health risks of drinking to curb dangerous trends.
BCH Alcohol and Other Drug manager Suzanne Powell said it was not just about greater awareness among young people, but also educating parents and groups like sporting clubs in role modelling behaviour.
“Alcohol is part of our culture and because it’s legal, people don’t always see it as a dangerous drug,” Ms Powell said. “When we go into schools we try and educate on the impacts of alcohol, but when you’re young you don’t tend to look much at the long-term risks. If people drink regularly and in excess, it can take a while for the physical effects to show.”
The latest Annual Alcohol Poll, released on Wednesday, found fewer than half of Australians are aware of the links between alcohol misuse and stroke, cardiovascular disease and cancers, including mouth, throat and breast cancers – all recognised alcohol risks by the World Health Organisation.
Ms Powell said people tended to attribute long-term effects of drinking to other lifestyle habits, like diet. This could include stomach inflammation or bleeding, ulcers or acquired brain injury.
About 5.7 million Australians drink to get drunk. Of those who report to drinking to get drunk, 47 per cent consider themselves drunk when slurring their speech or losing balance, according to the report commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education.
While 70 per cent of Australian adults are aware of national drinking guidelines, only one in four were aware of the content.
Three in four Australians believe more needs to be done to reduce the harm caused by alcohol-related illness, injury, death, and related issues. This includes demand for the government and alcohol industry to take more responsibility on such issues.
If you or someone you know is concerned with alcohol consumption, Ballarat Community Health offers free and confidential support and continuing care.
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