Call for alcohol harm minimization

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 10 Mar 2013

The NSW Council of Churches has renewed its call for the O’Farrell Government to extend recent Newcastle trials of measures to curb alcohol related violence.

New national data shows that 70,000 Australians are involved in alcohol-related disputes each year, and the estimated annual cost to emergency services is around $15 billion.

“Alcohol is a popular drug that is easily accessed and easily misused,” President of the NSW Council of Churches, the Revd Dr Ross Clifford, said.

“Recent trials in Newcastle have demonstrated that regulatory measures such as earlier pub closing times, lock-outs, and restrictions on the sale of high-alcohol content drinks late at night can significantly reduce alcohol-related violence.  It’s time for the NSW Government to extend these trials to other parts of the state.

“This is not about banning alcohol.  This is about an effective harm minimization and customer protection strategy,” Dr Clifford said.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.