Drugs and Alcohol

Drugs and Alcohol

Quick reference to this page

Alcohol is the prominent drug issue facing Western countries. From its negative impacts on long term health and wellbeing to its contribution to domestic and street violence and other illegal activities, alcohol when consumed at risky levels is having a detrimental impact on every community. Research is emerging that demonstrates the increased availability of alcohol via more outlets (Pubs and Nightclubs, Packaged Liquor Outlets, Restaurants, Hairdressers, Take-away food premises and Video stores etc.); and increased trading hours; new forms of marketing; and a culture that has developed around alcohol consumption; are all having negative impacts on local areas in addition to normalizing the consumption of alcohol in our society.

Drinking at risky levels is associated with negative health consequences, personal injury, self-harm, injury to others, risky sexual behaviors, mental health impacts and social problems.

Underpinning Council's vision to address alcohol and other drugs is the principle of harm minimisation, as articulated in the National Drug Strategic Framework. Harm minimisation aims to improve health, social and economic outcomes for the community and the individual. It encompasses a wide range of integrated approaches including:

  • Supply reduction strategies designed to disrupt the production and supply of licit and illicit drugs 
  • Demand reduction strategies aimed at preventing the uptake of harmful drug use 
  •  A range of targeted harm reduction strategies designed to reduce drug-related harm for individuals and communities

What you can do

Delay Drinking
Research shows that those who commence drinking alcohol at a later age are less likely to participate in risky drinking behaviors. The idea that western countries should try to develop a European drinking culture and allow children to commence drinking at earlier ages has proven to be inapplicable in western countries. It is particularly important for children aged 15 and under not to consume any alcohol as it will effect their brain development. Children of this age are also at the greatest risk of other harms associated with consuming alcohol.

Drinking Guidelines

The guidelines for responsible drinking levels were reviewed in 2009. Briefly, the recommendations are:

  • To reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm over a lifetime, healthy adult men and women should drink no more than 2 standard drinks a day
  • To reduce the risk of injury on a single occasion of drinking, healthy adult men and women should drink no more then 4 standard drinks on any single occasion

Remember: alcohol affects everyone differently and what may be safe for one person may be risky for another.
Know your limit.

Alcohol should be avoided if:

  • you are under 18 years of age 
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • you have a family history of alcohol-related problems 
  • you are on medication or using other drugs 
  • you have a condition that may be affected by alcohol such as Hepatitis C

For more information about the Australian Guidelines to reduce health risks from Drinking Alcohol please visit the National Health and Medical Research Council  website.

Party Safe

If hosting a party visit the Victoria Police website and follow the links under Community Safety to their PartySafe Program webpage. Have the phone numbers of local Police, ambulance and taxi's handy and use 000 as your first resort in the case of trouble. Register your party with the local Police.

Students, parents and the Police regularly report incidents of parties getting out of control often with serious consequences for hosts and guests. It is for these reasons that we would like to share these suggestions with you.

Advice to Parents Who Are Giving a Party:

  • It is natural to be concerned about having a party for young people, but this does provide a good opportunity to talk to your young person about how to party safely
  • Clear agreement on limitations and expectations is an important initial step
  • Keep the size of the party manageable and restricted to a confined area
  • Invitations should be issued in writing to a particular person and numbered, with a clearly stated start and finish time
  • Advise your children not to give the impression among friends that their party is to be an "open house"
  • Include the name and phone number of the host on invitations to encourage other parents to seek further information
  • The party should not be advertised publicly, including on the internet via social networking sites
  • Gatecrashers should be asked to leave immediately. Call the Police if they do not leave
  • Provide only one entrance or exit and you may consider hiring a licensed security person
  • Responsible parents must be in attendance and exercising supervision. (Older siblings are not sufficient.) 
  • Guests should not be permitted to leave the party and return later
  • Young people should be delivered to the door and collected personally by parents and not left standing on the footpath or disturbing the neighbours
  • If the party is to be held in a public hall or sporting facility, inspect it beforehand. Avoid facilities with close public transport access and avoid buildings with multiple entrances
  • If alcohol is to be permitted at the party, discourage guests from bringing their own. This will enable you to control to whom it is distributed and how much they have
  • A mix of older and younger children at a party makes the control of drinking very difficult
  • Ample quantities of non-alcoholic drinks and food should always be available
  • You can inform the Police of the details of the party. They may then patrol the areas that night
  • Advise neighbours about the party. This can avoid problems with parking and noise complaints later
  • Emergency contact numbers should be readily at hand
  • Remember that this is your party it is your right to set the standard of acceptable behaviour and to see that it is maintained. You also have the right to ask people to leave. Be aware that you may be legally responsible for any injury or damage that occurs at your party

Advice to Parents Whose Young People Are Attending a Party

  • Establish a policy with your children about your expectations of their attendance at parties or sleepovers. This may include always contacting the host, being clear on starting and finish times and the nature of the party
  • Networking with the parents of your child's friends can establish a consistent approach, ensuring easier parenting
  • You may wish to leave your phone number and contact details with the host of the party. Make sure that you have the name, address and telephone number of the hosts
  • Make sure your child can contact you in an emergency, or if they feel uncomfortable at the party
  • Be aware that your child might be exposed to cigarettes, drugs and alcohol. They should be aware of the consequences of their consumption
  • Ensure your children are aware of the alcohol content in different types of drinks. A VB 'stubby' has around 4.9% alcohol, while spirits like Bourbon contain 40% alcohol
  • Ensure your children are aware of the future health consequences of smoking and drug use. Tobacco is addictive and it is OK to say no'
  • The law prohibits the so-called soft drugs as well as hard drugs. Many parents do not appreciate that drugs are often easily and freely available at parties. First-time users of marijuana usually do not have to purchase it
  • Attending parties with alcohol increases the likelihood of risk-taking behaviour
  • No function will be arranged in the name of the school without the schools formal approval. Contact your school to clarify the endorsement of the school
  • "After parties" are not endorsed by the school and the association of the schools name with such functions is a misrepresentation
  • Ensure safe transport to and from parties and make your children aware of the often fatal combination of driving and alcohol

Objecting to Liquor License Applications
All liquor license applications must be publicly advertised. Residents can object to liquor license applications if they feel the amenity of the area will be adversely affected. Please visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website for further details on making an objection.

What council is doing

Frankston Council runs a number of alcohol related programs

Liquor License Regulation
Liquor License applications are made through Consumer Affairs Victoria (see the website link below). Council and local Police review a copy of each application to assess the likely impact of the operation of the business on Amenity.

Frankston Liquor Accord
The Frankston Liquor Accord is a quarterly meeting held to encourage the best practice in self-regulation of licensed premises in Frankston. The meetings are chaired by the District Chief Inspector of Victoria Police. Anyone who has a liquor license is encouraged to attend. Licensees or venue managers can contact the Community Safety Officer to find out more information or to be added to the mailing list.

Safe Taxi Rank
One initiative of the Frankston Liquor Accord is Frankston's Safe Taxi Rank. Located on the corner of Davey and Young Streets, the rank operates from 1:00 AM - 5:30 AM on Saturday mornings, Sunday mornings and Public Holidays. Patrons wishing to access taxi services outside these times should phone Frankston Radio Cabs on 97863322 and organize pick-up from their location. The rank is manned by 3 security personnel on Saturday mornings and 4 security personnel on Sunday mornings. The Safe Taxi Rank security are funded by the Safe Taxi Rank committee including Daveys Bar and Restaurant, The Pier Hotel including Flanagans Irish Bar, Glacier Nightclub, Strike Bowling Bar, Pint n Pickle, Kittens, Robin Hood Tavern and Frankston Radio Cabs. The rank also has 4 CCTV cameras that may provide surveillance of the rank area.

Frankston Drink Safe Project
Since 2004 Frankston City Council has provided a range of programs aimed at educating patrons in Frankston about responsible drinking and building the capacity of traders to deal with intoxicated persons. For more information about responsible drinking check out the National Health and Medical Research Council link below. For more information on the Frankston Drink Safe Project please contact the Community Safety Officer.

Illegal Drugs and Misuse of Other Legal Drugs

Pharmacotherapy Accord
The Frankston Pharmacotherapy Accord is an Australian first! The Accord meets quarterly to discuss any emerging issues for the management of pharmacotherapy programs in Frankston. The Accord consists of GP's, Pharmacies, Police and Council. Pharmacies interested in the Pharmacotherapy program can attend an accord meeting.

Supporting local business
To find out about Frankston City Council's work supporting local businesses in relation to drug and alcohol issues please see information on the Ambassador Program. Council is also supporting business through the provision of training and information sessions run as part of the Frankston Drink Safe Project.

Drug and Alcohol Resources
Local Services available (PenDAP, YSAS, SHARPS, PYFS and the Youth Resource Centre)

Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program (PenDAP)
The Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program (PenDAP) is located in the Frankston Integrated Health Centre next to Frankston Hospital, 12-32 Hastings Road, Frankston. You can contact the duty worker between 1:00pm and 3:30pm weekdays on 9784 8100. There are outpostings at Rosebud and Hastings. PenDAP offers a range of services to assist people experiencing difficulties related to their alcohol and drug use. Services include counselling, withdrawal, post-withdrawal support, peer support, community education, support groups, Koori services, forensic services, a drink-drive licence restoration project, youth outreach, youth counselling, and youth supported accommodation.

Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS)
The Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS) is located at 12 Keys Street, Frankston, phone 9770 5622. YSAS provides drug and alcohol services for people aged between 12 and 21 experiencing significant problems related to their drug use.

SHARPS
SHARPS Southern Hepatitis/AIDS Resource & Prevention Service - Needle Syringe Program, 37 Ross Smith Avenue, Frankston, phone 9781 1622. SHARPS offers a range of services, including a fixed site, mobile evening outreach and a 24-hour syringe disposal hotline. They also provide free supplies of needles and syringes, medi-swabs, filters, condoms and lubricants, sharps containers and information around the importance of safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Individual consultations are available on health and wellbeing, including information about safe injecting practices, safer sex practices, provision of pre- and post-HIV and Hepatitis C counselling, referral and assessments and consultancy to health and welfare professionals.

PYFS
The Peninsula Youth and Family Services (PYFS) is located at 38 Ross Smith Avenue, Frankston, phone 9770 5399. PYFS is primarily an accommodation access and personal support network with services at four locations in the Frankston/Mornington Peninsula region.

YRC
The Youth Resource Centre is located at 9 Ross Smith Avenue, Frankston; phone 9770 6222. The Youth Resource Centre offers many services, including youth programs, youth counselling, youth doctor and youth health nurse, family support workers, the mobile youth centre WHAT? truck , FRESH youth music, entertainment and events, young parents support as well as access to the Internet, printers, phones and fax.

Family Drug Help
Family Drug Help is a Victorian service for people who are concerned about a relative, friend or partner using alcohol or other drugs. Phone 1300 660 068. Direct Line is a 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol counselling, referral and information service. Phone 1800 888 236.

What local support groups are available

There are a number of local support groups available for those who are experiencing problems with their own drug use or for families and friends affected by a loved ones drug use.

Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other remain drug free. Meetings occur in Frankston and Langwarrin. Call the Narcotics Anonymous phoneline on 9525 2833 for further information.

AA
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Meetings occur in Frankston, Kananook, Seaford, Mornington, Mt Eliza and Rosebud most days of the week. Call the Melbourne Central Service Office on 9429 1833 for more information about meeting times and locations.

Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a service that helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of someone close. The program of recovery is adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings take place in Frankston, Rosebud, Hastings and Mornington. For more information about meetings phone 9642 3330.  Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. For meeting information call 9642 3330.

Families Anonymous
Families Anonymous is a free self-help program for friends and families concerned about drug abuse and behavioural problems of a relative or friend. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 8:00pm in the John Madder Hall, Dundas Street, Frankston.

The Connect Group
The Connect Group is available for those who do not have their own difficulties with drugs or alcohol, but whose lives are being affected by the substance abuse of someone close to them. Contact SEADS intake on 8792 2330.

Tough Love
Tough Love is a support group for families who are experiencing problems with a child's drug use. The group also support families to manage problematic behaviours in their children. The group meet every Tuesday at 7:30pm at Karingal Park Secondary College, they can be contacted on 9513 7222 or e-mail toughlovevic@dodo.com.au The Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program also run a number of support groups for individuals, contact PenDAP on 9784 8100 for further information.


Syringe Collection
For syringe collection in all locations including private property (with permission from the property owner) phone SHARPS 9781 1622 or the DHS Disposal HELP-LINE 1800 552 355, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alternatively, if the syringe is in a Council area (road reserve, footpath area or park) phone Frankston City Council on 1300 322 322 (including after hours services).

Useful Websites

Page updated Wednesday, 11 January 2012   Was this information useful?