Fed: $6 million granted to combat problem drinking

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2004
Fed: $6 million granted to combat problem drinking

SYDNEY, April 1 AAP - Community groups were today granted $6 million to address problem
drinking, an issue that afflicts two million Australians.

The government-funded Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation awarded the money
to 26 organisations that work to combat alcohol-related problems in society.

Foundation chief Daryl Smeaton said alcohol misuse cost Australians $7.5 billion a year.

"As a community it is vital that we tackle these issues more effectively," he said.

"Alcohol misuse can impact on all aspects of life, causing disruption to family relationships,
work absenteeism, isolation from the community and involvement in crime and other anti-social
behaviour."

Half of Australian men and a third of Australian women drink at risky levels, the foundation
said, and up to one-quarter of teenagers drink at least once a month at levels that damage
their health.

The organisations receiving grants are largely aimed at helping people with serious
alcohol problems to wrest back control of their lives.

One such recipient is The Ted Noffs Foundation, which will receive about $390,000 to
run two projects aimed at helping 14- to 18-year-olds combat alcohol and drug problems.

Treatment of alcohol dependency without follow-up care results in relapse rates of
60 per cent, but research has shown after-care support reduces relapse rates to 15 per
cent, the foundation said.

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KEYWORD: ALCOHOL

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