Alcohol misuse has long had devastating effects on health and wellbeing in rural and remote communities in Australia, among both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.
A report commissioned by Menzies and released in late 2010, showed that the cost per person of alcohol-related harm in the Northern Territory (NT) is more than four times the national level.
The total social costs of alcohol consumption in the NT in 2004-05 were estimated at $641.8 million, including healthcare costs of $39.7 million and costs from road accidents of $36.6 million. This equated to $4197 for each adult in the NT, compared to a national cost of $943 per adult.
Our research focus:
- To translate research into policy to reduce alcohol related harm
- To work with communities to improve health care services
- To work with those directly affected by alcohol misuse
- To investigate the causes, patterns and impacts of alcohol-related brain impairment.
Our research impact:
- Developed appropriate evaluation strategies for informed public health policy on substance misuse
- Evaluated the Alcohol Management Plans for Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and East Arnhem
- Improved community understanding of alcohol misuse
- Informed treatment for alcohol misuse and related conditions.