Title: About the campaign

The Victorian Government has committed $2million to the development and implementation of a state-wide campaign that will run over the summer period from January 2009.

The alcohol and violence community awareness campaign will promote the need for personal responsibility when it comes to alcohol consumption and associated behaviours, and highlight the potential consequences for those whose violent behaviour affects others.

The campaign is in response to the significant community concerns around alcohol-related violence in and around entertainment precincts and to address cultural factors that contribute to the link between alcohol consumption and people's behaviour.

The alcohol and violence campaign will aim to:

  • increase community awareness of the link between alcohol and violence;
  • promote personal responsibility for actions under the influence of alcohol;
  • highlight potential consequences of violent behaviour; and
  • contribute to reducing alcohol related violence in Victoria.

The key messages of the campaign will be:

  • Consuming alcohol to excess makes some people more likely to be violent and aggressive
  • You are responsible for your own actions - drink responsibly and stay safe
  • There are a range of potential consequences for violent behaviours committed under the influence of alcohol.

The campaign will promote sources of information and advice for people wanting to do something about their drinking, both through a telephone based alcohol counselling line, and internet site with information about risky drinking, standard drinks, tips on staying safe.

Title: The victorian alcohol action plan

Addressing personal responsibility is one way we can act together to change the culture of alcohol in our community. The task is challenging and requires a range of responses over time. This is why the Brumby Government is taking action to restore the balance for our community in how we deal with alcohol. Through the five-year Victoria's Alcohol Action Plan and additional measures announced in 2008, the government is implementing a comprehensive package of actions to reduce alcohol related violence and other problems.

The plan:

All Victorians need to work together to restore the balance within our families, our communities and our culture when it comes to alcohol use.

As with other public health and safety challenges that we have faced - drink-driving, obesity, speeding, tobacco smoking - Victoria's response to the misuse of alcohol requires a strategy that:

  • promotes changes in community attitudes and behaviour

  • sets clear rules for responsible use and sale of alcohol

  • provides the right balance of health, legal, policing and regulatory services.

Restoring the balance provides a vision for long-term change in the community and identifies clear priorities for action. These priorities are in four key areas:

  1. families ­ including more support in mainstream health services to help people reduce their drinking early and providing the best quality care for more serious alcohol use problems

  2. culture - sustaining community awareness to encourage a safe and sensible approach to alcohol

  3. community - enforcing controls on the sale and marketing of alcohol and preventing and reducing the consequences of excessive alcohol use, especially alcohol-fuelled violence

  4. partnerships - working with the Commonwealth and other state and territory governments to ensure a national approach.

Link to Full VAAP document:
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/drugservices/pubs/action_plan.htm

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