The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

To reduce harm from alcohol, we need Indigenous-led responses

  • Written by Lorelle Holland, PhD Candidate, The University of Queensland
To reduce harm from alcohol, we need Indigenous-led responses

Alcohol management in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities has been a deeply divisive issue, as seen recently in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

Indigenous leaders called for[1] and welcomed emergency restrictions on the sale of alcohol from January 24 2023.

This approach resulted in an immediate decrease in alcohol-related harms, including family violence and emergency department presentations.

But Elders in Alice Springs have warned[2] these restrictions “should not let governments off the hook” from addressing the underlying social determinants of alcohol-related harm.

This reflects a long-standing community concern that prohibition alone does nothing to address issues such as intergenerational trauma, poverty, housing, education, unemployment, access to alternative activities, access to adequate health care and racism.

Critics of government-imposed alcohol management argue the allocation of resourcing is too strongly weighted[3] toward supply reduction – and especially law enforcement – with inadequate funding of demand-reduction and harm-reduction strategies.

Our commentary, published this week in the Lancet Western Pacific Regional Health[4], highlights the need for culturally responsive approaches to alcohol in remote communities. Reductions in alcohol use are linked with the strength of culture, empowerment and community.

Read more: Want to improve the nation's health? Start by reducing inequalities and improving living conditions[5]

Incorporating Aboriginal culture

Australia’s National Drug Strategy[6] outlines three ways to address alcohol-related harm, by reducing:

  1. demand – preventing people taking up drinking or delaying starting, providing education, and offering treatment services

  2. supply – reducing alcohol availability and greater policing

  3. harm – encouraging responsible service of alcohol and providing services such as sobering-up shelters that reduce harm for people who are intoxicated.

But development and implementation of these strategies has overlooked culturally responsive approaches to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. One such approach is the “interplay wellbeing framework”.

The interplay wellbeing framework[7] is based on Indigenous concepts of wellbeing and positions risky alcohol use in the context of systemic inequities across all the social determinants of health, including housing, education, employment and wealth.

Such approaches show how government and communities can work together in a shared and respectful space to progress the National Drug Strategy.

Alice Springs town shot
It’s important to look at risky drinking in the context of all the social determinants of health, including housing. Shutterstock[8]

Non-drinkers and risky drinkers

Overall, Indigenous Australians are more likely[9] to be non-drinkers (15.4%) compared to non-Indigenous people (7.9%).

But alcohol-related harm has been very destructive for many Indigenous communities. In 2018, alcohol accounted for 10.5%[10] of the total burden of disease and injury for Indigenous Australians. This harm is preventable.

Risky levels of alcohol use for Indigenous Australians are often due to the ongoing negative impacts of colonisation[11]. This includes intergenerational trauma, which manifests as poor psychological wellbeing[12] and is sometimes interlinked with risky alcohol consumption.

Read more: 'Life changing' – what 50 years of community-controlled housing at Yumba-Meta tells us about home and health[13]

How alcohol harms

According to the National Alcohol Strategy 2019–2028[14], many people who drink at risky levels don’t consider themselves as heavy drinkers. Nor do they identify alcohol use as a cause of[15] cancer, heart disease, stroke, liver disease and gastrointestinal disorders.

Social harms[16] related to alcohol use include physical assaults, injuries, child neglect and abuse, suicidal thoughts, partner violence and crime. Lives are lost prematurely to family violence, homicide, suicide and accidents.

The costs of alcohol-related social harm are estimated at A$66.8 billion dollars[17] in Australia from 2017–2018.

Alcohol industry is a barrier to reducing harms

The alcohol industry uses excessive advertising[18] to promote alcohol as a safe product. The DrinkWise program, for instance, is funded by the alcohol industry[19]. It seeks to blame the consumer[20] as an irresponsible drinker. This reduces the need for the alcohol industry to take responsibility for its harmful product.

Harm-minimisation strategies need the genuine support of the alcohol industry if they are to effectively reduce alcohol use and respond to the impact of serious injury, violence,[21] illness and disease related to alcohol use.

But to date, the alcohol industry has capitalised on the challenges communities face. It provides easy access alcohol outlets[22] in areas of lower socioeconomic status. This exploitative practice increases the risk of alcohol-related harm to people living in these areas.

Alcohol shop shelves
The alcohol industry capitalises on the challenges of low socioeconomic communities. Shutterstock[23]

Healing through culture

Indigenous-led approaches[24] to alcohol-related harm promote holistic wellbeing and draw on the healing qualities that Aboriginal culture offers. This is an effective way of alleviating intergenerational trauma and interrelated alcohol harm.

Community-level healing- and trauma-informed approaches can overcome barriers such as racism[25] that prevent people accessing health and social support systems.

However, they need to be adequately funded and resourced. Culturally responsive healing approaches need to be community-, evidence- and theory-informed and inclusive of both traditional healing and western methodologies.

Read more: Treatment for drug and alcohol misuse should involve families and communities[26]

How the model can work

The value of culture on Country has been demonstrated through a healing model of care for promoting effective rehabilitation.

Orana Haven Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Service[27] is a three-month program that combines 12-step treatment with residential treatment facility focusing on:

  • healing through culture and Country
  • emotional safety and relationships
  • strengthening life skills
  • improved wellbeing.

Information collected through semi-structured interviews[28] found that embedding culture and being on Country enhanced participants’ feelings of connection, identity and spirituality.

Indigenous leadership and self-determination

Culturally responsive approaches[29] require Indigenous leadership[30] and culture to counter the harms associated with alcohol use.

This ensures the healing process can privilege resistance, resilience, interpersonal relationships and strengths. Incorporating a holistic view of community and culture can facilitate mutually respectful collaboration and self-determination[31] – and lead to sustained change.

Read more: New funds will tackle Indigenous smoking. But here's what else we know works for quit campaigns[32]

References

  1. ^ Indigenous leaders called for (www.theguardian.com)
  2. ^ have warned (www.theguardian.com)
  3. ^ too strongly weighted (newsevents.med.unsw.edu.au)
  4. ^ Lancet Western Pacific Regional Health (www.thelancet.com)
  5. ^ Want to improve the nation's health? Start by reducing inequalities and improving living conditions (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ National Drug Strategy (www.health.gov.au)
  7. ^ interplay wellbeing framework (equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com)
  8. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  9. ^ more likely (www.aihw.gov.au)
  10. ^ accounted for 10.5% (www.aihw.gov.au)
  11. ^ negative impacts of colonisation (link.springer.com)
  12. ^ poor psychological wellbeing (onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  13. ^ 'Life changing' – what 50 years of community-controlled housing at Yumba-Meta tells us about home and health (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ National Alcohol Strategy 2019–2028 (www.health.gov.au)
  15. ^ cause of (www.health.gov.au)
  16. ^ Social harms (healthbulletin.org.au)
  17. ^ A$66.8 billion dollars (www.aihw.gov.au)
  18. ^ excessive advertising (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  19. ^ funded by the alcohol industry (journals.sagepub.com)
  20. ^ blame the consumer (www.tandfonline.com)
  21. ^ serious injury, violence, (journals.sagepub.com)
  22. ^ alcohol outlets (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  23. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  24. ^ Indigenous-led approaches (healingfoundation.org.au)
  25. ^ such as racism (www.lowitja.org.au)
  26. ^ Treatment for drug and alcohol misuse should involve families and communities (theconversation.com)
  27. ^ Orana Haven Drug and Alcohol Residential Rehabilitation Service (substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com)
  28. ^ through semi-structured interviews (substanceabusepolicy.biomedcentral.com)
  29. ^ Culturally responsive approaches (health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com)
  30. ^ Indigenous leadership (www.taylorfrancis.com)
  31. ^ self-determination (www.un.org)
  32. ^ New funds will tackle Indigenous smoking. But here's what else we know works for quit campaigns (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/to-reduce-harm-from-alcohol-we-need-indigenous-led-responses-204030

The Times Features

10 Ways to Make Money Online and Provide Financial Stability

The possibility of earning money online has reached unprecedented heights. The proper strategy enables anyone to begin earning money. You don't need fancy degrees or special skil...

The Power of Exterior Design: How Facades Influence Property Value

First impressions count when it comes to real estate, and nothing quite sets the tone for a property like its exterior design. A building's facade is more than just an aesthetic ...

The Best Adjustable Bed and Mattress Packages for Comfort

The appropriate bed and mattress are essential for establishing the perfect sleep environment. If you seek a way to upgrade your sleep experience, adjustable bed and mattress pac...

Designing a Modern Home: Features That Will Make Your Dream House Stand Out

Designing your dream home is an exciting journey, and for many, it’s an opportunity to create a space that reflects their personal style, functionality needs, and modern trends. ...

Client Dinners Done Right: Tips for Meaningful Engagement

Client dinners offer more than just a meal—they’re an opportunity to build lasting business relationships in a more personal and relaxed setting. Done well, these dinners can str...

From Classic to Contemporary: 5 Timeless Costumes for Any Party

When it comes to dressing up for a costume party, you want to choose something that is not only fun but also memorable. Whether you're attending a Halloween event, a themed gathe...

Times Magazine

Top Benefits of Hiring Commercial Electricians for Your Business

When it comes to business success, there are no two ways about it: qualified professionals are critical. While many specialists are needed, commercial electricians are among the most important to have on hand. They are directly involved in upholdin...

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

LayBy Shopping