|
Thinking Drinking III |
Conference Wrap Up
The Australian Drug Foundation hosted the Thinking Drinking 3: Action for Change conference in early August in Brisbane. We were aiming for a stimulating, energising and challenging experience and judging by the feedback so far, we believe we achieved that. It was brought home to us how fortunate we are in Australia with the quality and calibre of our researchers.
The conference was held in recognition of the complexity and interconnection of alcohol issues and the need for us, as a sector, to work cooperatively to deliver the most effective responses. To best achieve this, the conference was held with plenary sessions only. Many delegates commented on how useful this approach was. We welcomed our overseas guests and it was great to see so many delegates from New Zealand. It is fascinating how common the issues are facing our communities here, in NZ and the UK.
The Conference got off to a great start with an inspiring Welcome to Country followed by Dr Phil Hadfield’s incisive overview of the challenges of developing and implementing effective alcohol policy. The need to: develop local as well as national leadership; create policy networks; and reframe the debate around public health considerations not just law enforcement. These themes were revisited over the three days. The value of taking fresh perspectives was clearly represented in Prof. Robin Room’s paper on Day 1 looking at the adverse effects of drinking on other people. The lessons to be learned from past public health campaigns were picked up in both Todd Harper and Prof Mick Daube’s presentations.
Night time economy issues, alcohol related violence and licensing regulation and enforcement were explored in a number of sessions. Sir Geoffrey Palmer talked compellingly about the need for improved liquor regulation and outlined some of the options being considered by the current review of liquor licensing in New Zealand. He stressed the need for any regulation to be ‘future-proof’, given the ability of the liquor industry to morph so quickly in completely different directions.
Prof. Ted Wilkes reminded us about the grave situation facing our indigenous peoples with regard to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and that “we Australians have to do something about it”. He then outlined a number of practical initiatives he wants to see implemented. Ms Maureen Ervine elegantly and persuasively talked about the importance of RESPECT in all communication and consultation with Indigenous people.
Fascinating papers on alcohol promotions by Prof Sandra Jones and Dr Tom Carroll took us into the sophisticated realm of marketing and well beyond the self-regulatory code debate. Prof Tanya Chikritzhs reminded us that ‘price matters’ while Dr John Marsden did more to demystify and debunk the national competition policy argument than anything heard before.
We cannot do justice here to all the excellent papers and vigorous debate which the conference encompassed. Our challenge now is to take the wisdom, research, innovative ideas and divergent views presented, process them and take them forward to make a difference.
View some of the key presentations from the conference.
A Report on the conference proceedings and outcomes
Contains full program, abstracts and presenter biographies
|
