Culture of Alcohol

Much is said about the laid back, no worries, "larrikin" lifestyle of Australia. Many find the permanent vacation mindset the ideal way to live, others wonder when the collective body will finally grow up. In the fulcrum of this particular clash of viewpoint is the culture of alcohol here in Australia.


Aussies love their alcohol. Beer is a perennial favorite, hard booze is appreciated and those lucky enough to live near spectacular wine regions have an endless choice of quality 'drop'. Quality is not an issue, quantity frequently is. According to the Australian Medical Association and the Preventative Health organization (a government initiative), people over age 60 are likely to have a drink daily (to your health!) but drinking is starting earlier and harder. In the 20-29 year old category; 25% are binging monthly (seven drinks at one occasion), 1 in 6 down 29 standard drinks per week. The AMA used to state that two drinks per week for a pregnant women was within safe limits for the fetus. But the problem was to convince women that a standard drink was three ounces (3 ozs or ~90ml) of wine- a rather small pour- and decided to state that it was "more beneficial" not to drink during pregnancy. The drinking patterns of people living in non populous areas like Northern Territory and of the aboriginal people are further causes for concern.

This drinking comes with a price: to the auto accident rates (w/injury or death) and to the national health service coffers treating alcohol related health issues. Remember our "larrikin" population? Doesn't take well to being told not to do something, especially drink, so one does not see "Don't Drink & Drive" or "Don't Drink during Pregnancy" signs everywhere. Smartly, the government takes a more subtle tack: reducing the blood-alcohol level to .05, promoting the "skipper" concept (designated driver) for people visiting wineries, calling the initiative "ReThink Drink" , increasing the consequences for repeat infractions including confiscation of automobiles-regardless of who actually owns the car- and trying to reduce the presence of alcohol company sponsorship/advertising in sports. This latter proactive position has gotten a lot of reaction. Cries of 'nanny state' and 'wowserism' rise from the ranks who feel penalties should be reserved for those who commit alcohol-related crimes against others and themselves. I suppose they keep that hue & cry up until someone they are close to is tragically affected by excessive drinking, at which point those free spirits will wonder why the government didn't do more to prevent this kind of thing happening.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a glass of wine with supper, a Tanqueray & tonic on a hot summer day or a glass of champagne anytime. But I don't see the benefit in drinking so heavily that an AFM is necessary on a regular basis. AFM-alcohol free month-it's what you do when your liver is just about to go on strike. It makes your weekends reeeaalllllyyy long, your friends pining for the day when you will be "back" and body parts shudder from toxic relief. At the very end of the month, the idea forms that perhaps your life does revolve around al.....and then the first round arrives. Why not just drink less and you'll have no physical reason to stop? Not subtle enough of a question.