BTL Blog Comments

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:50:1258419030 GMT

I disagree with pauli that binge drinking is not culturally acceptable. As footprints suggested, in Australia, there is a strong culture of drinking as celebration - particularly around, but not limited to sporting success. I agree though that many of us don't recognise that our binge drinking is problematic.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:22:1258237351 GMT

1. i agree that binge drinking and alcohl abuse are serious health concerns in this country. thats why we need to tailor a solution to address these issues. it's not a one size fits all. and "what we do and the way we relax in Australia is to binge drink, party and hard"- this is a massive generalisation.

2.binge drinking is not culturally acceptable. if you ask most people that get drunk at parties if they are binge drinkers they will probably say no. this is becasue most people dont see their behaviour as alcohol abuse. re: role models - not every drink is scrutinised, only bad behaviour as a result of excess consumption, along with anything else you do that ppl can pick on!

3. once again, smoking is different because one cigarette can do you harm, whereas alcohol can be consumed responsibly and enjoyed socially. i agree that policy plays an important role, however i think thta just because the solution may be complicated - we need to think it through as a one size fits all approach will fail and hinder the chances of a second approach working!

bottom line: i agree with your bottom line. media restrictions on their own are useless!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:37:1258072670 GMT

What do I think - hmmm - the arguments don't make any sense.... facts -

1. alcohol abuse and binge drinking are serious public health issues - regardless of what we think - what we do and the way we relax in Australia is to binge drink, party and hard

2. Binge drinking is culturally acceptable - and is tied to all of our major events (sporting or not) - racing carnivals, footy matches, cricket, tennis, Australia Day - we celebrate by drinking - we love to have a party - and regardless of wether we think sport celebs are role models they are in the public eye - every drink scrutinised and actions monitored

3. the response to alcohol and substance abuse is always going to be complicated and multi faceted - policy plays a major part - so again looking at the evidence - smoking and motor vehicle accidents are actually good examples - and good policy coupled with other community based initiatives make sense

My bottom line:

we have a responsibility to promote responsible drinking - one way of doing it is through media restriction but... this is going to be useless unless we have clear and consistent messages at home, in schools and in the spaces young people spend time.

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:50:1255618224 GMT

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Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:49:1255618193 GMT

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Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:07:1254863233 GMT

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Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:07:1254863233 GMT

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Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:40:1254840042 GMT

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