Community Forum "Boom town or booze town?" 2008

KAAP hosted a community forum on Wednesday 12 November 2008, held at the WASM Conference Centre. The aims of the forum were:

• To gauge from community members how they see how town portrayed
• To inform community members on aspects of alcohol related harm in our local community
• To identify what changes our community would like to see occur in relation to reducing alcohol related harm
• To identify strategies from a community perspective on ways to change currently accepted "norms" in relation to alcohol consumption in our community
• To provide information to community members on what works and why

The forum was attended by over 40 local community members ranging from business owners and licensees to health professional and mine workers therefore an appropriate representation of the community was present.

Presenters provided various aspects from a community perspective, on issues pertaining to alcohol related harm;

Senior Constable Richard Edwardes Drug & Alcohol Advisory Service, Kalgoorlie Police provided an insight into policing matters regarding alcohol related assaults and costs of infringements. Sadly, the Goldfields rates third highest in the state when it comes to alcohol related assaults, with the majority occurring on Friday and Saturday nights. (Download presentation - pdf)

Youth mayor Julian Canny, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Youth Council, shared his experiences as a young person and binge drinking. He highlighted the social pressures youth face in regards to alcohol consumption. (Download talk - pdf)

Robert Shaw, Aboriginal Health Care Worker, Bega Garnbirringu Health Services provided insight into the reasons that people drink and that the cycle of aboriginal alcohol abuse stems from the context of external and internalised oppression. He highlighted the impact that excessive alcohol consumption has on children, families and communities. (Download presentation - pdf)

Fredrik Velander, Project Coordinator, Kalgoorlie Alcohol Action Project completed the forum presentations with evidence based strategies on reducing alcohol related harm. (Download presentation - pdf)

The forum was also supported by various government and non government organisations which displayed information pertinent to alcohol and what services are available locally. KAAP would like to thank Kalgoorlie Police, City of Kalgoorlie - Boulder (Youth Council), Population Health, SDERA, Goldfields Esperance GP Network, Centrecare Goldfields, Kalgoorlie- Boulder Local Drug Action Group and Bega Garnbirringu for supporting the event.

A copy of the forum evaluation will be posted shortly.