Epidemic…alcohol is to blame…we need to act now…grateful for reforms…
Those are the kinds of statements heard over and over again concerning the alcohol and drug-induced fighting in Australian streets at night, largely involving youth between the ages of 14 and 24 years old. The Sydney Central Business District has been a hotspot of frequent trouble, but it is certainly not the only city or area in Australia experiencing fights, injuries, property damage, and other issues with adolescents and young adults drinking to excess. The ongoing problems have led to public calls for new regulations and laws to reduce the number of incidences. However, it will take a concerted national effort to address this problem, and employers will play a role also by adhering to zero tolerance policies in workplaces.
Raising the Price to Pay for Violence
Politicians in Sydney have approached the problem of alcohol and drug-induced violence by recommending new laws limiting club operating times and introducing mandatory minimum sentences for offences committed whilst under the influence of substances – legal or illegal. The pubs and clubs will be required to stop new customers from entering the establishment at 1:30 AM and to stop serving alcohol by 3 AM. Violators put their licenses at risk and will be subject to fees.1
In addition, reform proposals include mandatory minimum sentences for various acts. Employers do well to pay attention to the types of behaviours that will lead to harsher sentences because they reflect what can happen when people drink excessively or do drugs. Sadly, these acts have been committed by Australia’s young people and include fatal one-punch attacks, assault, wounding, sexual assault, and affray. The reforms in Sydney apply to the Central Business District Entertainment area where so much of the trouble occurs, but the reality is that substance abuse can lead to violence anywhere and at any time. In fact, there is a fear that applying the new laws to such a limited area will lead to the violence moving into neighbouring areas.
Not a Youth Problem
Binge drinking is certainly not just a “youth problem” because one in six Australians consume 11or more alcoholic drinks at a single sitting at least once a month. The St Kilda Botanical Gardens had to ban alcohol at the Australia Day celebration this year. In the past, alcohol has caused too many problems during the annual celebration and there have been increasing incidences of problems in other parks. Last New Year’s Eve, North Fitzroy Park was trashed, a Noble Park man and a police officer were assaulted, and 20 people were injured in some manner. As a result, alcohol was banned for Australia Day.2 Many employers now ban alcohol at work events for the same reason parks are doing so – to lower the risk of trouble occurring.
Social change is not always easy, but Australia is rapidly converging its attention and resources on changing the behaviour of young Australians who drink to excess. There are studies indicating that the public service announcements, increasing public awareness, and harsher penalties are leading to more adolescents and young adults being more sensible about their drinking habits. However, the statistics also indicate that 80 percent of people between the ages of 14 and 24 drink still drink harmful levels of alcohol.3
Many of these people are employed and thus more likely to show up for work with a hangover or to accumulate more days of absenteeism from weekend binges. The youthful drinking at harmful levels concerns all Australians, and employers are no exception. The drug and alcohol policy program promoting a substance free workplace is intended to keep the workplace safe, but it also helps attract job candidates interested in working in a substance free environment. The message is clear: No drinking and drugs allowed!
Mediscreen is NATA accredited and provides onsite drug and alcohol screening services. The Mediscreen team is professional, providing high quality support services, and can efficiently assist employers in their efforts to maintain zero tolerance workplaces.
References
- Sean Nicholls. Barry O’Farrell announces ‘tough’ laws to combat alcohol-fuelled violence. (21 January 2014). The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved at http://bit.ly/OaH6Ej.
- Beau Donelly. Alcohol banned this weekend in St Kilda Botanical Gardens. (21 January 2014). The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved at http://bit.ly/1iVwm8h.
- Mike Daube. Binge drinking: youth’s relationship to alcohol being reshaped by rapid social change. (20 January 2014). The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved at http://bit.ly/QC01tO.
