Emergency management chief Don Garlick too often sees the highly-depressive and life-threatening effects of too much alcohol at Christmastime.
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And often, those who had been under the influence grappled, once sober, to understand the extent of why they had been upset.
Mr Garlick sees the effects on the roads and in the hospital frontline as both Ballarat Health Services emergency management chief and associate nurse unit manager in the Base Hospital’s emergency department.
He urges people to think before they drink in a season which brings higher alcohol consumption.
“Christmas is not always a good time for everyone. You get sold the dream of happy times with everyone getting together with family,” Mr Garlick said.
“Some families are already fractured...Christmas can ramp up financial needs.
“Things can explode. And then, Christmas can also be a hard time to be lonely….Alcohol can have real depressive effects.”
This comes as Ballarat’s top paramedics have reiterated a clear zero tolerance policy on physical and verbal abuse during the festive season.
Paramedics will pull out if they feel under the threat.
Ballarat police Inspector Dan Davison said too often such violence was fuelled by excess alcohol consumption.
The state government’s Better Health Channels tips to reduce alcohol consumption include: start slow, make your first drink non-alcoholic; eat up before drinking to slow alcohol absorption; drink water between alcoholic drinks; bring or buy less drinks to reduce temptation; stick to a budget when out; and, remember to role model a good example for young people.
- For crisis support: Lifeline 13 11 14