Description

Alcohol plays an important role in the Australian economy. It generates substantial employment, retail activity, export income and tax revenue. It also has an important social role and is a familiar part of traditions and customs in this country, oftenbeing used for relaxation, socialisation and celebration. There is also evidence that alcohol can benefit the health of some individuals, if consumed at low levels, by contributing to the reduction of cardiovascular disease risk from middle-age onwards. However it can also lead to intoxication and dependence and a wide-range of associated harms. Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that can promote relaxation and feelings of euphoria, while also impairing motor skills and judgement, producing intoxication and dependence, illness and death, as well as having other harmful effects on our daily social, economic and living environments. This strategy is a plan for action developed through collaboration between Australian governments, nongovernment and industry partners and the broader community. It outlines priority areas for coordinated action to develop drinking cultures that support a reduction in alcohol-related harm in Australia. It seeks to reflect the National Drug Strategy and build on the previous alcohol strategy. The strategy is based on extensive consultations with over one thousand key stakeholders around Australia and a review of the most recent research literature and other data relating to trends in alcohol consumption and harm in Australia. The goal of the strategy is to prevent and minimise alcohol-related harm to individuals, families and communities in the context of developing safer and healthy drinking cultures in Australia.