Violence and Alcoholism in Indigenous Australia

This article discusses the prevalence of violence and alcoholism among Indigenous communities in Australia and the detrimental effects on their mental and physical health. It also highlights the initiatives undertaken by the Australian government and nurses to address these issues and improve the health of Indigenous individuals.

Violence and Alcoholism
in Indigenous in
Australia
1

Table of Contents
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
How many Aboriginal in Australia are affected due to violence and alcoholism.......................3
Effects of alcoholism and violence in Aboriginal Australian......................................................3
Initiatives by the Australian Government in violence and alcoholism........................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
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INTRODUCTION
Alcohol consumption in aboriginal Australian is one of the main concerns Korff, J.
(2016). 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.
MAIN BODY
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 Lee et.al. (2019).
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
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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. 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).
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 Snijder, M. et.al. (2020).
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Korff, J. (2016). Aboriginal alcohol consumption. Creative Spirits, 8.
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.
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 related Violence among the Australian Aboriginal. 2014. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449401/>
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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-islander-peoples#:~:text=Aboriginal%20and%20Torres%20Strait
%20Islander%20peoples%20are%20less%20likely%20to,conditions%20such%20as%20liver
%20disease>
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