NCJ Number
198173
Date Published
June 2001
Length
466 pages
Annotation
This final report from the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee of the State of Victoria, Australia discusses the decriminalization of public drunkenness.
Abstract
Focusing on the issue of decriminalizing public drunkenness in Australia, this report from the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee of the State of Victoria presents unanimous recommendations concerning public intoxication. Following a concise listing of all of the recommendations made by the Committee, the authors introduce Victoria as one of the few remaining Australian States where public drunkenness has not been decriminalized. After presenting legal issues concerning the history of public drunkenness and the development of the decriminalization models, the authors offer a summary of public drunkenness laws in all of the Australian States and Territories. Following the presentation of the background concerning the present law regarding public drunkenness in Victoria, this report details public liability issues, current law and legal procedures in Victoria, and statistical profiles concerning policing public drunkenness. Turning to a discussion of health and medical issues, this report details alcohol consumption patterns and problems in Victoria and specific concerns regarding public drunkenness. Addressing the policing of public drunkenness, the authors discuss police procedures, policing the streets, public order, and police attitudes towards public drunkenness. Focusing on local government regulations of drinking in public and licensing issues, this report describes community accords and partnerships before discussing four case studies that illustrate the experience of the decriminalization of public drunkenness. Through critiquing the law, policies, and procedures in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Western Australia, and South Australia additional government regulations are noted. Discussing law, policy, and Indigenous people, the authors present the royal commission into investigating aboriginal deaths in custody. Addressing the differential impact of public drunkenness, this report discusses issues facing the homeless, women, young people, and the mentally challenged before presenting the arguments both for and against the decriminalization of public drunkenness and alternative approaches to public drunkenness. After describing a series of matters the authors consider prerequisites to the decriminalization of public drunkenness offenses, this report provides a series of appendices listing submissions, witnesses, site meetings, local governments, and alcohol related deaths, crimes, and health concerns. An extensive bibliography completes this report.