services

living with alcohol in the northern territory

by
Ian Crundall
PhD, BBSc (Hons), Dip.Ed.

Research and Evaluation Co-ordinator
Living With Alcohol Program
Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services

introduction

The burden of alcohol misuse in the Northern Territory is exceptionally high when compared to the rest of Australia: in 1989 the percentage of driver and motorcycle rider fatalities attributable to alcohol was 50% higher than the national average1; in 1986 the proportion of alcohol-related deaths was three times higher in the Territory than for the nation as a whole.2 It has also been found that harmful levels of consumption are twice as prevalent in the Northern Territory as in Australia overall.3 Furthermore, household expenditure on beer in the Northern Territory is twice the national average while total household spending on alcohol is 80% higher than the national average.4

In November 1991 the Northern Territory Government initiated an innovative public health campaign to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community. The Living With Alcohol Program (LWA) was introduced to develop and implement a range of strategies to promote responsible drinking practices and reduce the alcohol-related problems experienced by individuals, families and the community at large. It is funded by a levy applied to liquor containing more than three percent alcohol. For the 1992/93 financial year this levy returned more than $6.75 million.

The LWA has adopted a harm minimisation approach. The program co-ordinates and supports a variety of activities that include community development projects, mass media, education and information campaigns, regulation and law enforcement, professional development, policy formulation, enhanced treatment and care facilities, and research and evaluation activities.

unique characteristics of the territory

Apart from the climate and other geographic aspects, there are a number of historical, social and demographic features which give the Northern Territory a unique character and culture. Part of the research undertaken by LWA has attempted to elucidate which of those factors might impact on alcohol use and how the program should respond. Some of the factors which appear to be relevant are summarised below.

drinking tradition

Heavy drinking dates back to the early pioneering days, when alcohol was one of the few pleasures available and it offered an anaesthetic effect against the climate and harsh conditions. This tradition persists, especially in the smaller and more remote towns and among visitors who regard the Territory as "the last frontier". This tradition is reinforced and perpetuated by the predominant male culture. While nationally there are 98 males per 100 females, in the Territory this ratio is 109:100.

remoteness

With a population density of one person per 8.3 km2 (about one-twentieth of the national figure) and huge distances between towns, there is a prevailing sense of remoteness and isolation. This tends to bind communities, as people seek a sense of identity. Alcohol often contributes to this community binding process as it acts as a social lubricant and promoter of group interaction. It also alleviates the feelings of loneliness and confinement. that can arise from people being unable to socialise outside their immediate surroundings.

This situation is compounded by the fact that many people relocate to the Northern Territory rather than grow up there. New arrivals are estranged from their usual support networks so neighbours and new friends take on a critical role. While the more casual and sociable lifestyle is often attractive in itself, to some degree new arrivals also participate in this lifestyle as they do not wish to risk isolation by not being involved. While this can result in communities being more close-knit and supportive, it may also encourage people to drink excessively because alcohol consumption is so much more pervasive in the lifestyle of the Northern Territory and people are limited in being able to socialise outside their immediate surroundings.

population features

There are more young people in the Northern Territory, as evidenced by the median age of 28 compared to the national median of 32 years. As young people drink more often and have a greater likelihood of engaging in irresponsible practices such as binge drinking, this skewness in the population suggests that drinkers are more prevalent in the Territory.10,11 This might be exacerbated by the fact that 56% of individuals in the NT are single, compared to 45% nationally.

A greater proportion of the Territory workforce is employed in industries known to have more high risk drinkers.12 For example, the percentage of people employed in the mining industry is three times higher in the Territory than it is nationally and the percentage in the Defence Forces is probably more than double the national level. Similarly, Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders comprise 22% of the Northern Territory population, compared to 1.4% nationally. Although nearly 60% of Aboriginal people (or more than twice the proportion of the urban population of the Territory) do not drink, excessive consumption is common among the small number of those who do drink.14 Further, the number of interstate and overseas visitors to the Territory each year is approximately four times the resident population and tourism is associated with higher levels of alcohol consumption.15

program strategies

The characteristics outlined above help to explain the pattern of alcohol use in the Territory and offer guidance for the development and targeting of appropriate strategies. Some of the features of the program are as follows:

• a community development program designed for remote Aboriginal communities and soon to be implemented across the Territory.
   
• a community education and research team established specifically to address issues relating to young people, work sites and the alcohol industry.
   
• a network of LWA workers placed across the Territory to provide expertise and resources at a local level.
   
• a grants program aimed at enhancing the delivery of services by community-based agencies.
   
• a series of media campaigns promoting a shift to low alcohol beer, supporting bar staff to meet their serving responsibilities, discouraging drink driving and highlighting the harmful effects of alcohol for young people.
   
• expansion of training in early intervention techniques and establishment of a certificate course at Batchelor college.

To maximise its impact on the general community, the program pursues a consultative inter-sectoral approach across different government departments and various non-government agencies and organisations.

initial results

The program appears to be having a positive impact. Traffic accident data show that between 1990 and 1992 the number of alcohol-related accidents dropped by 26% and the number of alcohol-related fatalities dropped by 21%. While light beer constitutes 25% of the national beer market, in the Territory it has increased its share from 12% prior to the levy to 35%. Overall alcohol sales have dropped from 36.6 million litres to 34.1 million litres in twelve months. Apparent per capita consumption of absolute alcohol has declined by nearly 15% over twelve months.

While these observations are encouraging, the LWA program is a long-term project that extends to the year 2000. This time-frame recognises the complicated processes and varied activities that will need to be implemented if there is to be a sustainable change in attitudes and behaviours that have become entrenched in the Territory.

Ian A Crundall
Living With Alcohol Program
Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services

references

1. Commonwealth Department of Health, Housing and Community Services Alcohol: the facts. Canberra, AGPS, 1992.
    
2. d'Abbs P. Alcohol use in the Northern Territory: a statistical summary. Darwin: NT Department of Health and Community Services, 1991.
    
3. d'Abbs P. Alcohol use in the Northern Territory: February-March 1992. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research, 1992.
    
4. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Household expenditure survey, Australia, detailed expenditure items 1988-89. Canberra: ABS, 1992.
    
5. Paterson A. The cyclone, Paddy Cahill, and the G.R. Bulletin 1898;Dec:303- 305.
    
6. Shanahan P. A study of attitudes and behaviours related to responsible drinking guidelines. Sydney: Elliott & Shanahan Research, 1993.
    
7. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 1991 census of population and housing basic community profile: Northern Territory. Canberra: ABS, 1993.
    
8. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 1991 census of population and housing basic community profile: Australia. Canberra: ABS, 1993.
    
9. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australia at a glance. Canberra: ABS, 1993. 
    
10. Australian Bureau of Statistics. National health survey: summary of results Northern Territory 1989-90. Canberra: ABS, 1992.
     
11. National Health and Medical Research Council. Alcohol and adolescents: a discussion paper. Canberra: NH&MRC, 1988.
     
12. Occupational Health and Safety Commission. Work, drugs & alcohol. Melbourne: Vic Occ Health and Safety Comm, 1992.
     
13. Northern Territory Tourist Commission. Bulletin of 1992/93 Northern Territory travel monitor and other tourism related data. Darwin: NT Tourist Commission, 1993.
     
14. Watson C Fleming J Alexander K. A survey of drug use patterns in Northern Territory Aboriginal communities: 1986-1987. Darwin: NT Department of Health and Community Services, 1988.
     
15. Watts RK Rabow J. The role of tourism in measures of alcohol consumption, alcohol availability and alcoholism J Stud Alc 1981;42:797- 801.  
     

home | contact us | site index | site map | search | help
web coordinator | feedback | copyright/disclaimer | interpreter services