Alcohol in Australia
Alcoholism in Australia
The effects of a country with a drinking culture
Alcohol is a seemingly moderate drug, that over the years, became a key part of our Australian culture. This essay will examine how our society has turned a blind eye to the dangers of alcohol consumption, and in turn disregarding the numerous health issues.
The Australian culture has normalised and legitimised binge drinking. It has become an expectation that alcohol is an accepted part of most social occasions. However, a society with a drinking culture, ignores the impact that alcohol has on countless Australians’ health and wellbeing every year. It dramatically increases the risk of disease, associated medical conditions, and death. Sadly, the drinker isn’t always the only one affected. Alcohol can fuel violence, because it affects the drinker’s ability to function normally and the chances of antisocial behaviour increases. Though alcohol is a drug that does more bad then good, advertising media still portray it in a positive way, thus making the problem dramatically worse and more complicated to resolve.
In other countries, alcohol is easier to obtain and it is often much cheaper, but quite often, its impact on the countries society is less (Discussion with aspiring English teacher from china). Yet in Australia there is clearly an underlining cultural issue that needs to be brought to the surface. Australia pays $36 billion dollars a year in administration fees, criminal court cases, policing costs, violence, prison costs and vandalism. (Australian Education and Rehabilitation Foundation). but the biggest price Australia has to pay for is the cost of life.
13% of deaths of under aged minors each year is related to alcohol. (The Australian National Council on Drugs report (ANCD) 2007). A shocking 60% of students aged 12-17 reported consuming alcohol in the past year, and 23% in the past week alone. An Australia School Student’s Alcohol and Drugs (ASSAD), survey, 2008 showed
The effects of a country with a drinking culture
Alcohol is a seemingly moderate drug, that over the years, became a key part of our Australian culture. This essay will examine how our society has turned a blind eye to the dangers of alcohol consumption, and in turn disregarding the numerous health issues.
The Australian culture has normalised and legitimised binge drinking. It has become an expectation that alcohol is an accepted part of most social occasions. However, a society with a drinking culture, ignores the impact that alcohol has on countless Australians’ health and wellbeing every year. It dramatically increases the risk of disease, associated medical conditions, and death. Sadly, the drinker isn’t always the only one affected. Alcohol can fuel violence, because it affects the drinker’s ability to function normally and the chances of antisocial behaviour increases. Though alcohol is a drug that does more bad then good, advertising media still portray it in a positive way, thus making the problem dramatically worse and more complicated to resolve.
In other countries, alcohol is easier to obtain and it is often much cheaper, but quite often, its impact on the countries society is less (Discussion with aspiring English teacher from china). Yet in Australia there is clearly an underlining cultural issue that needs to be brought to the surface. Australia pays $36 billion dollars a year in administration fees, criminal court cases, policing costs, violence, prison costs and vandalism. (Australian Education and Rehabilitation Foundation). but the biggest price Australia has to pay for is the cost of life.
13% of deaths of under aged minors each year is related to alcohol. (The Australian National Council on Drugs report (ANCD) 2007). A shocking 60% of students aged 12-17 reported consuming alcohol in the past year, and 23% in the past week alone. An Australia School Student’s Alcohol and Drugs (ASSAD), survey, 2008 showed