Alcohol Beverages Australia CEO, Andrew Wilsmore says that anti-alcohol activists continue to mislead after they presented a survey suggesting more people in Victoria used alcohol treatment services during Covid.
AAP Media reports that the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association surveyed drug and alcohol service centres across the state between December and January to gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on client presentations. Of the 38 agencies, 70 per cent said alcohol featured either "a lot more" or "a bit more" as a drug of concern.
However, the ABA suggests that the methodology is flawed, anecdotal and fails to rely on solid data.
“Let’s allow facts, rather than vague opinions, to apply when it comes to providing information on Australia’s relationship with beer, wine and spirits. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare is the independent umpire, and its most up-to-date statistics show alcohol treatment episodes have been falling for 10 years with no change to that trend during the Victorian lockdowns," said Wilsmore.
“Alcohol treatment episodes as a percentage of all drug treatments were down 14.5 per cent in the year ending June 2020, and the reduction over 10 years in the state of Victoria is 39.5 per cent. On a pure treatment number basis, alcohol treatments have fallen from a high of 23,491 in 2010-11 down to 20,326 in 2019-20, against the tide of a rising population.
“Moderation in drinking is the new norm for the vast majority of Australians with the per capita consumption of alcohol at its lowest level in 50 years.
“The activists are intent on creating a false narrative to suggest Government need to unnecessarily intervene in support of their anti-alcohol agenda. Meanwhile Australians are making sensible choices and choosing to act responsibility when it comes to enjoying a drink,” said Mr Wilsmore.
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