Preventing alcohol-related harm in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: The experience of an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Central Australia

Abstract

HARMFUL USE OF ALCOHOL is associated with a wide range of physical, mental and social problems.1 While alcohol consumption rates in Australia are falling, they remain significantly higher than in comparable countries; Australia loses over $14.35 billion annually in associated costs to the justice and health systems and as a result of lost productivity and traffic accidents.2 It is within this national context that the harmful use of alcohol in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities should be placed.Despite the determined efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, communities and organisations that have resulted in some local successes, alcohol continues to contribute significantly to the total burden of disease and injury.It also significantly undermines progress on social and economic issues, including education, employment and community safety.3 Although patterns of drinking vary from place to place, high-risk (binge) drinking rates are similar in remote and urban areas where most (57%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live. 1 Primary healthcare -whether delivered through private general practice, government-run services or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) -can play a part in preventing alcohol-related harm.This article outlines the approach to preventing alcohol-related harm developed by Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress), a large ACCHS based in the Northern Territory.

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