Federal Election 2013: Drug and alcohol services
Federal Election 2013: Drug and alcohol services
The Salvation Army, as one of the largest not-for-profit social services providers in Australia, is a non-partisan organisation. We ask that all political parties during this election campaign consider our statements in relation to their social policies.
The Salvation Army is deeply concerned by the numerous tragedies of death and disease caused by the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in the Australian community. As a 'frontline service provider, The Salvation Army witnesses and responds to the devastating impact of this issue on individuals and families on a daily basis. The social and economic costs to wider society are also extremely high. In 2004-05, the impact of alcohol in Australia was estimated to be $15.3 billion, with the majority of the cost being associated with tangible costs, such as productivity loss, road accidents and crime4. Excessive and long-term alcohol consumption is also linked to other significant social issues such as family violence, crime and social dysfunction, and has been shown as a major risk factor for a variety of health problems, such as stroke, heart disease, cancers and high blood pressure5. There is also evidence that the diagnosis or treatment of mental illness was much more common in those who had used illicit drugs6. Most alarmingly, young Australians are starting to drink at an earlier age, and many drink in a way that puts their health and others at risk7. Of particular concerns are the impacts to the unborn baby of the use of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy and the impact of excessive and prolonged use of these substances to the brain development of teenagers8.
The Salvation Army provides more than 100 services nationally which respond to those with drug and alcohol addictions, including detox and residential rehabilitation programs, counselling and outreach programs. Each year, The Salvation Army provides more than 25,000 episodes of care to clients through our treatment programs, with many thousands more supported through other Salvation Army services.
The Salvation Army in Australia is committed to education and awareness as a vital strategy to prevent and minimise the harm of alcohol and drug abuse. Each year, Alcohol Awareness Week9 facilitated by The Salvation Army, is highlighted by the release of our Community-Based Research. In 2012, this survey (undertaken by Roy Morgan Research) revealed the significant impact of drug and alcohol use on young children in families. Based on the survey, there are an estimated 2.9 million Australians aged 14 years and above who say they know families where they think that children may be unsafe because of someone’s alcohol abuse10.
Issues for consideration
Every day, The Salvation Army witnesses the significant damage to individuals, families and wider communities of the misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. We are particularly concerned with the misuse of these substances in indigenous communities and in disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. Additionally, indigenous Australians were more likely to drink alcohol at risky levels11 and to use cannabis12 than non-indigenous Australians. Drug-related problems have also historically played a significant role in increasing health and life expectancy disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
The Salvation Army remains concerned about the extent of advertising and promotion of alcohol use through the media and at a range of major public events. The Salvation Army supports strategies and policies which result in restrictions on advertising to reduce the glamourisation and marketing exposure of alcohol to children and teenagers. We believe that this could potentially increase the age at which Australians are having their first drink, which would be of great benefit to society as a whole.
Click here to read all of The Salvation Army’s statements for the Federal Election.
- 4 AIHW, Education: Alcohol Consumption (extracted 'om Australia’s health 2010 p. 55-59), h$p://www.aihw.gov.au/education-resources/
- 5 Ibid.
- 6 AIHW, Education: Drugs & young people (extracted 'om 2010 National Drug Household Survey report (July 2011)), h$p://www.aihw.gov.au/education-resources/
- 7 AMA, Alcohol Use and Harms in Australia (2009), h$ps://ama.com.au/alcohol-use-and-harms-australia-2009-information-paper
- 8 Ibid; AIHW, Education: Drugs & young people (extracted 'om 2010 National Drug Household Survey report (July 2011)), h$p://www.aihw.gov.au/education-resources/
- 9 The Salvation Army, Alcohol Awareness Week, h$p://salvos.org.au/need-help/drugs-and-alcohol/alcohol-awareness-week.php
- 10 The Salvation Army, Roy Morgan Research: Alcohol Awareness Week (2012), h$p://salvos.org.au/need-help/drugs-and-alcohol/alcohol-awareness-week.php#aawk2011
- 11 AIHW, Education: Alcohol Consumption (extracted 'om Australia’s health 2010 p. 55-59), h$p://www.aihw.gov.au/education-resources/
- 12 AIHW, Education: Drugs & young people (extracted 'om 2010 National Drug Household Survey report (July 2011)), h$p://www.aihw.gov.au/
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