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Alcohol

analysis:Thinking about giving up alcohol? Even a few weeks off the booze will have noticeable effects

February is here, and Dr Sandro Demaio has joined thousands of Aussies to hit pause on a habit in his life — drinking alcohol. This is why.
Blurred man in background refuses glass of whiskey

What impact have alcohol bans had in the NT?

A year on from the return of alcohol bans in Aboriginal town camps and communities, progress on alcohol-related harm and violence remains an uphill battle.
ABC News Current
Duration: 3 minutes 56 seconds

'I'm pretty desensitised now': One year since alcohol bans returned, Alice Springs looks to future

A year on from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Alice Springs, progress on alcohol-related harm and violence remains an uphill battle.
Updated
Empty liquor bottles and cans lay in the dry Todd River.

Jury still out on NT alcohol bans one year on

Despite blanket alcohol bans being reimposed on Aboriginal town camps and communities, progress on alcohol-related harm and violence remains an uphill battle in Alice Springs.
ABC News Current
Duration: 3 minutes 56 seconds

Distillers push for pause as spirit excise increases make favourite tipple more expensive

More than half the cost of a bottle of spirits goes to the tax office. Distillers want a two-year pause on the "outrageous" excise, but the Alcohol and Drug Foundation says it's necessary to stop harmful drinking.
Updated
A man leaning against a wall of wooden alcohol barrels.

Reduced liquor trading hours in Darwin to be scrapped, with trial to end next week

A trial pushing back the weekday opening hours of Darwin bottle shops will end after six weeks, as the NT police minister says the change has had no "massive impact" and led to instances of alcohol abuse in licensed venues.   
wine bottles

Little-used addiction recovery program quadruples in popularity after on-country healing

In Alice Springs, addiction has a stranglehold. But a group of local Aboriginal men are hoping to break cycles, one conversation at a time.
a man stands in front of red rocks

'One carton per day': WA government reveals proposed crackdown on liquor sales in two regional towns

The director of liquor licensing issues a show cause notice to liquor retailers in Broome and Derby to provide reasons why they should not implement the stringent new restrictions from February 23.
Updated
An empty can of VB lying on the ground on the side of a road, with the silhouettes of several people in the background.

Former police boss backs call for more liquor restrictions in regional WA, saying 'this is a statewide problem'

Karl O'Callaghan is urging the state's director of liquor licensing to consider a police proposal to restrict the sale of alcohol in more regional areas, warning "children's lives at stake".
Headshot of a man with a bush background.

How drinking on holiday could impact your travel insurance claim

Travel insurance can give you the protection you need if your holiday doesn't go as planned. But don't count on it if something happens to you and alcohol is a factor.
Updated
Two glasses of bubbly wine on a bench with water and islands in the background

Why does alcohol make my poo go weird?

As we enter the festive season it's a good time to think about what all those celebratory alcoholic drinks can do to your gut, writes Vincent Ho.
A woman in a pink jumper holds a bunch of toilet paper rolls

Why are so many pub gaming rooms in Brisbane open long after the bars have closed?

The ABC ventures out in the hours after midnight on a Tuesday morning to the pub gaming rooms that are open all night, every night. Gambling researchers say it's when gambling harm is at its greatest.
Updated
The Royal Exchange Hotel gaming room sign

Australia's road toll peaked in the 1960s and 70s. Then something radical was proposed

Random breath testing has been a familiar part of Australia's road safety landscape for decades, but when it was introduced it was seen as a radical move.
Updated
A car crashed through the wall of a pub.

Random breath testing could be on the way for Queensland e-scooter riders and cyclists

The state's transport department is looking into ways to further address drink riding, in an effort to protect road and footpath users.
An unidentified person standing on an electric scooter with other scooters parked nearby.

'Crime wave' hurting Coober Pedy, business owners say

New alcohol restrictions were introduced in the popular outback tourism town last week, but a local business group is concerned that the three-month trial aimed at curbing antisocial behaviour will not address a "crime wave". 
Two people behind a shop counter during a business break-in.

Smoking on the decline as mental health diagnoses climb: Here's what new data tells us about Australia's health

The latest National Health Survey shows the number of Australians smoking each day continues to drop. 
Updated
ABC News Current

NT government promises 50 extra police for crime and antisocial behaviour prevention unit

A new police unit is being established in the Northern Territory to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime, as the government attempts to reassure the public it's devoting resources to addressing antisocial behaviour.
A woman with dark short hair and a pink and orange patterned dress squints.

analysis:How a mistakenly sent email revealed shocking family violence statistics authorities didn't want you to see

The ABC this week revealed WA Police support widespread liquor restrictions across much of the state amid a doubling of alcohol-related family violence in parts of regional WA. But this information almost didn't see the light of day. 
A sign with no alcohol in front of a sunset

See how your town compares: Police figures reveal worst WA hotspots for alcohol-fuelled violence

Over 38 pages and 25 towns, police have gone into intense detail about the extent of regional Western Australia's alcohol problem.
Cartons of liquor stashed in the boot of a white car

'Now not the time' for blanket bans, liquor stores' peak body says, as police and some shires push for restrictions

WA Police and some regional shires say 25 towns should be subject to similar liquor restrictions as Carnarvon due to levels of alcohol fuelled violence up to 104 times higher than the metropolitan area.
Updated
Sergeant Matthew Hartfield stands on red dirt next to around 30 cartons of alcohol as a bulldozer lines up to destroy it.

WA Police pleads for alcohol restrictions to ease crime levels

The state's deputy police commissioner has revealed shocking rates of alcohol-fuelled crime and violence in regional communities.
Updated
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 52 seconds

'Strong and immediate intervention': Widespread alcohol restrictions proposed for WA

In a letter sent to the director of Liquor Licensing, Deputy Police Commissioner Allan Adams says "immediate intervention" is needed to address shocking rates of domestic violence and other forms of crime.
Updated
Image of multiple empty cans of beer that have been discarded on a sporting oval in Broome.

Alcohol research group highlights potential risk of online delivery services

New research shows that efforts to reduce alcohol consumption are being undermined by online delivery services.
ABC News Current
Duration: 4 minutes 2 seconds

analysis:Booze law backlash in Top End as NT government accused of turning police into 'political pawns'

The Northern Territory government is describing itself as "dynamic and agile" for its snap decision to tighten liquor laws. Others say NT Labor's only taking action to win an election, writes Matt Garrick.
Updated
A bottle shop worker leaning against a wall next to a poster promoting Jack Daniels.

Is Australia's craft brewing gold rush over, or can the industry bounce back?

Australia's once-booming craft beer industry is navigating troubled waters, with many brewers struggling to stay afloat.
A man's hands filling a beer glass at a tap in a brewery.