COVID-19 as a catalyst for alcohol policy change: A case study of the Gove Peninsula.
Drug Alcohol Rev
; 43(6): 1445-1450, 2024 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38956933
ABSTRACT
In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic provided a natural experiment for alternate ways of living and working. Although alcohol supply was one of many aspects impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, few of those alcohol-related measures have been continued. This commentary presents a unique case study from the Gove Peninsula in northern Australia, where pandemic restrictions acted as a catalyst for a review of an established alcohol management system. A permit system was introduced on the Gove Peninsula in 2008 to control who can purchase takeaway alcohol and how much they could buy each day. Development of the system was rooted in the principles of community development and self-determination. This commentary describes how COVID-19 and associated changes in levels of alcohol harms mobilised community support for a review of the system, that had operated unchanged for the past decade. COVID-19 was adventitious in revealing compelling localised information which encouraged examination of potential improvements to the system. An updated regime is now being trialled, which sets daily limits on the alcohol purchases of everyone in the area. This experience illustrates the benefits of timely and relevant data to assist communities in formulating local solutions to local problems.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas
/
COVID-19
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Drug Alcohol Rev
Assunto da revista:
TRANSTORNOS RELACIONADOS COM SUBSTANCIAS
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália