[Greens-Media] Let’s get serious about dealing with grog!

[Convenor, NT Greens]

Greens candidate Dr Michael Connard calls for mandatory alcohol
rehabilitation to be replaced with evidence-based measures.

“There is no evidence that mandatory alcohol rehabilitation is at all
effective.” said Dr Connard.

“After a three month period of mandatory rehabilitation, alcoholics are
released without any effective after-care. Most rapidly return to
homelessness and alcoholism.”

“As a doctor I cannot support a programme which deprives alcoholics of
their liberty, yet does not effectively treat alcoholism”

“Mandatory rehabilitation costs the NT taxpayer an estimated $33 million
per year in operational costs alone (approximately $43,000 per person).
This money could be used to fund measures that DO work including voluntary
alcohol rehabilitation and other evidence-based preventative health care
measures.”

The Greens favour evidence-based harm minimisation approaches to tackling
alcohol abuse in the NT. These include more investment in voluntary
rehabilitation and supply based measures such as reintroducing the Banned
Drinkers Register, introducing a minimum floor price for alcohol and
providing education about the harmful effects of grog.

“Effective alcohol programmes would not only reduce the medical burden of
alcohol abuse but would also reduce rates of domestic violence and other
violent crime.” Dr Connard concluded.

contact:

Dr Michael Connard

Email michael.connard at nt.greens.org.au

Mobile 0438 734 784