Alcoholic violence drops

Alice Springs has experienced a significant reduction in alcohol related violence this year prompting a local advocacy group to credit policies such as the introduction of police auxiliary liquor inspectors and a floor price on alcohol.

Dr John Boffa at a PAAC forum in Alice Springs. Picture: ANDREA JOHNSTON

Alice Springs has experienced a significant reduction in alcohol related violence this year prompting a local advocacy group to credit policies such as the introduction of police auxiliary liquor inspectors and a floor price on alcohol.

Although crime against property has increased since last year, crimes committed against the person has reduced significantly in offences that can be fuelled by alcohol including domestic violence.

The People’s Alcohol Action Coalition of Alice Springs (PAAC) analysed Northern Territory crime statistics data finding a 44 per cent reduction in alcohol-related domestic violence assaults in Alice Springs within a four-month period ending January 2019 compared to the same time period ending in 2018.

It also found a 49 per cent reduction in alcohol related assaults and a 45 per cent reduction in alcohol related emergency department presentations.

PAAC spokesman Dr John Boffa said he believes the drop can be attributed to policies introduced by the NT government which have been considered controversial by some in the community.

“Two important things happened; police auxiliary liquor officers were introduced as well as a floor price on alcohol,” Dr Boffa said.

“It is clear that the change we’re talking about is marked since last year, so we think those policy measures have worked.

“We also have to answer this question carefully by evaluating what is happening across the whole of the Northern Territory in places like Tennant Creek.”

Dr Boffa who has worked in Indigenous health for over thirty years said the effects of alcohol fuelled violence can stretch well beyond the victim of the violence and contribute to increased incarceration rates and a strain on the healthcare system.

“A drop in alcohol fuelled crime is also a big saving to the public purse and reducing alcohol supply and demand can help deal with the high incarceration rates,” he said.

“This has to be backed up by many other things including poverty reduction because Australia is becoming an even more unequal country.”