NCJ Number
185168
Editor(s)
Adam Graycar Dr.
Date Published
March 2000
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study found proportionally more alcohol consumers and more hazardous and harmful drinkers among rural youth in Australia than among their metropolitan counterparts.
Abstract
Data were obtained from the last three National Drug Strategy Household Surveys conducted in 1993, 1995, and 1998. In addition to items on knowledge, attitudes, and consumption behaviors relative to alcohol and other drugs, respondents were asked about the extent to which they had been victims of or had committed alcohol-related social disorders in the past 12 months. About one in four rural (22.9 percent) and metropolitan (24 percent) persons committed an alcohol-related social disorder in 1998, rates higher than in 1993 and 1995. The proportion of the population driving a motor vehicle in 1998 while affected by alcohol largely explained the increases from the previous years. Rates of drunk driving by rural residents increased from 10.3 percent to 16.3 percent between 1995 and 1998 and from 10.3 percent to 18 percent for metropolitan residents. Using pooled samples from 1993 to 1998, it was found 71 percent of all alcohol-related social disorders were committed by persons between 14 and 24 years of age. In rural regions, this proportion was 74 percent. Most youth, however, were not involved in an alcohol-related social disorder. During the 1993-1998 period, the proportion consuming alcohol and drinking at hazardous and harmful levels increased, while the number of victims of alcohol-related social disorders decreased. In 1998, one-third of young people between 14 and 19 years of age and two-thirds of young people between 20 and 24 years of age were victims of alcohol-related personal abuse. One in seven of 14- to 19-year-olds and 20- to 24-year-olds were victims of an alcohol-related property offense. One in three 14- to 19-year-olds and one in two 20- to 24-year-olds were perpetrators of an alcohol-related social disorder. Between 1993 and 1998, over two-thirds of perpetrators of alcohol-related social disorders were also victims. The likelihood of being a victim or a perpetrator increased with the level of alcohol consumed. Disorders primarily took place in pubs and clubs; for females, the home was also a frequent location of victimization. Disorders often involved social or sexual intimates. Policy implications of the findings are discussed, particularly with respect to the increase in the acceptance of alcohol consumption and regulatory and industry initiatives to promote responsible alcohol serving practices. 7 references, 1 note, 4 tables, and 1 figure