Emma Garlett: Alcohol restrictions alone will fail and we need better support, too

Driving the streets of Broome, it didn’t take me long to see first hand the extent of the alcohol problem confronting the town. Individuals can be seen street drinking and the groups gathering in the parks are a common sight and hard to miss. I’m writing this piece from Broome where I have spent the past few days. It isn’t my first time in Broome. I have been here many times over the years. The alcohol and drug abuse seems to be spiralling and the safety of the town is a real concern. After a whirlwind of media about Broome’s substance abuse crisis and the proposed introduction of alcohol restrictions in the Kimberley, I wanted to see it for myself. And the problems are real, and urgent. Something needs to be done. Alcohol is a drug that does more harm than good. The issue lies within the drinking culture. Being drunk has become normalised, and some have become dependent on staying close to permanently intoxicated. Alcoholism is bad – simple. I would be surprised if someone praised their dependence on alcohol for their healthy relationships or successful career — they simply do not go hand in hand. The data speaks for itself. Alcohol use impacts many facets of the community and has severe mental, social, and emotional consequences. And alcohol does not just affect Indigenous people, it can affect anyone. I will be spending the rest of the week in the Kimberley and I believe if the proposed restrictions go ahead, the community will benefit. But the change will have repercussions. We need to be prepared and ensure there are adequate medical services, policing, and Aboriginal led community services to provide treatment for those who need it. Alcoholism is a medical issue, and we must treat it as such. There are even medications which can be used to help sufferers. Doctors and other medical professionals who help people battling with alcohol addiction are performing life-saving work. Many people think recovery means going cold turkey, but that’s not always the case. Just reducing alcohol intake is better than nothing. Hopefully, the proposed restrictions, which involve limited the amount of alcohol that people can buy and the times at which they can buy it, will go some way to helping people do this. It’s critical we have community treatment programs to support people and adequate facilities for their rehabilitation. If restrictions come into effect, there’s a duty of care to ensure help is available to those who need it. These community treatment programs need to be governed, controlled, and operated by Indigenous people for Indigenous people. Indigenous led programs are the answer and missing piece of the puzzle. If we want long term effects and lasting change, then we need to take a measured and pragmatic approach to the issue and provide resourcing and funding to support existing community organisations and culturally appropriate medical services to build their capacity and capability to deal with the ramifications of alcohol restrictions and provide a long-term solution to this pertinent problem. Holistic approaches are key and if the Government only focuses on restrictions, then this push will fail. Problem drinkers need support, both in getting off the booze, and staying away long term. And it’s not just the Kimberley facing these issues. Support needs to be available to anyone who needs it.