MEDIA RELEASE	Media embargo – 4 August 2010
Drinking times a’changing
Alcohol-related harm is on the increase despite overall alcohol consumption remaining stable. This may indicate an alarming change in culture within high-risk groups.
This was the finding of a study published in the August issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
Michael Livingston and his colleagues at the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre looked at eight harm indicators in Victoria between 1999/2000 and 2007/08.
They found that alcohol-related ambulance attendances tripled in that time, and emergency department presentations for intoxication doubled.
This was despite little evidence of major changes in risky drinking levels over recent years.
“These findings may reflect changes in drinking behaviour within small, high-risk subpopulations, resulting in more problems per litre of alcohol,” Mr Livingston said. 
“We know that harms are increasing particularly fast among young adults, and it’s possible that this is being driven by increases in late night trading and the density of outlets in Victoria.”
“Substantial policy interventions are needed to reverse these worrying trends.”
ENDS
For more information about this research, contact the research author: 
Michael Livingston, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Fitzroy, Victoria. 
Phone: 0411 662 525; e-mail: michaell@turningpoint.org.au

MEDIA ONLY: To receive a PDF of the paper or for more information about ANZJPH, contact: Bridget Hooper ANZJPH Administration Ph: (03) 9329 3535 
E-mail: bridget.hooper@substitution.com.au

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health is published by the Public Health Association of Australia. Information on the Association and the Journal can be found at http://www.phaa.net.au