Violence and Alcoholism in Indigenous Australia

This presentation discusses the impact of violence and alcoholism on indigenous Australians, including the health problems they face. It also explores the initiatives taken by the Australian government and the roles of nurses in improving their health.

VIOLENCE AND ALCOHOLISM IN
INDIGENOUS IN AUSTRALIA

INTRODUCTION
 Alcohol consumption in aboriginal Australian is one of the main concerns.
This presentation is going to show some reasons, causes and mental as well
as physical health problems from which aboriginal people of Australia are
suffering due to violence and alcoholism. Further, it will also show
responsibilities of nurses in improving health of aboriginal and providing
access to them.

HOW MANY ABORIGINAL IN AUSTRALIA
ARE AFFECTED DUE TO VIOLENCE AND
ALCOHOLISM
 In the context of Australia it can be said that alcohol related violence is one
of the main problems and major health concern. Alcohol misuse, disease
and trauma are some problems which are increasing in Aboriginal group of
people in Australia. It is stated that around 2.5 million death happen each
year in Australia due to this alcoholism and violence. The most affected age
group of people due to alcohol abuse are 35-54. When aboriginal group of
people consume alcohol to the great extent then it affects their health and
weakened their immune by which they cannot fight against any disease and
which cause death. After consuming alcohol they increase domestic
violence. So, it can be said that alcoholism and violence is affecting the
whole family of aboriginal group of Australia.

CONT...
 In addition and in the context of affected gender and age group of people it
is stated that men display higher prevalence for alcoholism by women after
that suffer the most. Women as compare to men consume less alcohol but
they also do not have more capacity as like male so they suffer more severe
brain or organ damage. Health of male affected the most by alcohol
consumption but domestic violence affect children and women the most
after alcohol consumption.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM AND
VIOLENCE IN ABORIGINAL
AUSTRALIAN
 Harmful use of alcohol affect and create several problems to aboriginal
Australian Alcohol related Violence among the Australian Aboriginal,
(2014). It is stated that consumption of alcohol by males aboriginal are
increasing accident as well as death rate. They become unconscious and
while driving after alcohol consumption they increases accidents. After
drinking and alcohol consumption they also increase domestic violence and
alcohol abuse to not only women but also to child due to which children
find problems in concentrating in their works and education if they have
access to it. It is also increasing high economic costs to the health care
sector, harmfully affect co-workers, relatives, friends, injuries to others,
crimes in societies and others.

CONT...
 This harmful use of alcohol and violence after that is contributing 62% of
all police attendances, approx 73% of assaults, 77% of street offences and
40% of domestic violence incidents and 90% of late-night call. So, with this
rate and data it can be said that alcoholism and violence is affecting
aboriginal group to the great extent.

INITIATIVES BY THE AUSTRALIAN
GOVERNMENT IN VIOLENCE AND ALCOHOLISM
 Government of the Australia is playing an important role in preventing
aboriginals Australians against violence and alcoholism and also improving
health of them. Some initiatives by Australian government include:
 ASSAD survey: Funding to Australian school students alcohol and drugs
survey. With the help of fund and help of the government cancer council
Victoria’s centre held this survey in every 3 years in order to identify
victims and rate of violence due to over use of alcohol and how it is
affecting their mental and physical health. After identifying all causes, risk
factors they take appropriate actions and provide safety to them Plans and
Strategies or Initiatives by Australian Government, (2020).

CONT...
 National alcohol and drug hotline contact: As per this program and
initiative of the government anyone can call to this and can seek for some
appropriate ways to solve their problems. They can share their problems
and get effective advice to prevent themselves against violence.
 National drug policy: This strategy help aboriginal group of people and
victims in preventing as well as reducing drug related harm and making an
effective society. This strategy is being divided into sub strategies s per the
violence of alcohol abuse.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NURSES
TOWARDS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AFFECTED WITH
ALCOHOLISM
 Alcohol related harm and violence is the main social issue for aboriginal
communities in which nurses are playing important role by providing them
primary healthcare services as well as making them aware about
consequences of alcohol uses.
 Psychological therapy: There are several therapies which are being
provided by nurses to victims and make them able to share their feelings
and enjoy as like others. In this therapy they try to interact with them and by
making use of some effective tools they improve their health (Preventing
Alcohol related Harm in Aboriginal Communities, 2018).
 Medical treatment: In primary medical treatment they focus on screening
for alcohol use, chronic disease management by providing them better
medicines and interventions.

CONT...
 Focus on inequality: Rather, medical treatment they focus on
eliminating inequality as they know it is one of the main reasons of
this violence. For this they talk to institutions who work in
providing better services to such people. They try to provide access
to healthcare services in free and other services like education for
children etc.

DISEASE IN INDIGENOUS AS
COMPARE TO NON INDIGENOUS
 In the context of Aboriginal Australian it is stated that some Aboriginal
group of people of Australia are more likely to drink or consume alcohol
than other Australian. They drink at dangerous level both as lifetime and
single occasion as well Alcohol and Aboriginal people. (2019). Due to this
and over use of alcohol they are more likely to visit hospitals for alcohol
related diseases like liver diseases, accidents and others. Approximate 37%
of aboriginal aged of 15 years and over were stated as daily smoker and
alcoholic.


CONCLUSION
From the above study, it has been summarized that aboriginal group of people
is suffering from many mental and physical health problems due to over use
of alcohol and violence. Further, it has also discussed some roles of
government of Australian and nurses in preventing aboriginal and
improving their health.

REFERENCES
 Lee, K. K. & et.al. (2019). Asking about the last four drinking occasions on a tablet computer as a way to record
alcohol consumption in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: a validation. Addiction science &
clinical practice. 14(1). 15.
 Korff, J. (2016). Aboriginal alcohol consumption. Creative Spirits, 8.
 Snijder, M. & et.al. (2020). Factors Associated with Alcohol-Related Injuries for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal
Australians: An Observational Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17(2).
387.
 Online
 Alcohol related Violence among the Australian Aboriginal. 2014. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449401/>
 Plans and Strategies or Initiatives by Australian Government. 2020. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/drugs/about-drugs/what-were-doing-about-drugs#>
 Preventing Alcohol related Harm in Aboriginal Communities. 2018. [Online]. Available through <
https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/december/preventing-alcohol-related-harm-in-aboriginal-and>
 Alcohol and Aboriginal people. 2019. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/alcohol/alcohol-throughout-life/alcohol-and-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-is
lander-peoples#:~:text=Aboriginal%20and%20Torres%20Strait%20Islander%20peoples%20are%20less%20likely
%20to,conditions%20such%20as%20liver%20disease
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