Thursday, 9 August 2007

John Anderson Federal Member for Gwydir is lending his support to a major new campaign to highlight that alcohol related brain damage is a major issue for Australia.

The "Hangover for Life" campaign will give people the chance to download free information sheets on alcohol related brain damage from hangoverforlife.com.

Mr Anderson says that campaign organisers estimate 2 million Australians are now at risk of alcohol related brain damage because of the amount of risky drinking going on in the community. It's enough people to fill 4,800 jumbo jets.

Mr Anderson says the campaign "Hangover for Life" is highlighting that too many Australians are consuming too much alcohol and this is causing alcohol related brain damage. As part of the new "Hangover for Life" campaign, members of the electorate can download a series of information sheets so they can become better educated about alcohol related brain damage. Also at hangoverforlife.com, a special checklist is provided which explains whether particular people are at risk.

The "Hangover for Life" campaign has been organised by the non-for-profit group, Arbias, with major support from many of Australia's best known organisations including The Australian Drug Foundation, The Mental Health Council of Australia, Community Alcohol Action Network and Alcohol Education Research Foundation. Arbias is a national organisation helping people with alcohol related brain damage.

The Government shares the community concern regarding the harmful effects from the misuse of alcohol. The Australian Government has committed over $25 million over four years to review and update the Australian Alcohol Guidelines and to conduct a National Safe Use of Alcohol campaign. This campaign hopes to reduce the perceived acceptability of intoxicated behaviour, increase awareness of the Australian Alcohol Guidelines and what constitutes low-risk drinking, and increase the awareness of significant loss and costs as a result of harmful misuse of alcohol to individuals, families, local communities and the Australian community.

Link to story on The Nationals website: Anderson Supports Hangover for Life Campaign