Salvo Alcohol Culture Initiative (SACi) Learning Module

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Salvo Alcohol Culture Initiative (SACi) Learning
Module
Part 1 Australias alcohol culture Where are
we? How did we get here? Can this change?
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Overview of this module

• Part 1 Introduction to Australian alcohol
  culture harm
• Part 2 Personal aspects of alcohol addiction
• Part 3 - Why (as a Salvationist) should I care
  about alcohol harm?
• Part 4 - So what can I do about all this?
• Part 5 More resources

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Part 1 of this module addresses the questions

• Where are we in terms of our Australian alcohol
  culture?
• How did we get here?
• Does this have to remain the same?

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• Our Australian alcohol culture - vignettes
• In Alice Springs, a woman mourns the loss of six
  of her family members to alcohol related causes.
  Nearby, alcohol outlets soak up the weekly
  incomes of whole families.
• A young man on his first night out in a major
  state capital is bashed and kicked by a drunken
  16 year old for no apparent reason. His face hits
  the asphalt on a bridge, causing severe harm.
• Young boys on a fishing trip are given a slab of
  vodka alcopops to drink unsupervised. One is
  burned seriously by falling into a campfire while
  intoxicated. At the time, no law had been broken,
  although this happened without parental
  permission or knowledge.

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• A woman and children cower as a drunken partner
  abuses and assaults them. The woman will seek
  shelter from The Salvation Army.
• Within the space of a few weeks, Police
  Commissioners in Australias two largest states
  describe our alcohol culture as out of control,
  and transforming (changing or mutating) to
  exploit a trend towards drinking specifically in
  order to become drunk.
• The common element?
• An unhealthy obsession with alcohol, deeply
  ingrained in our national way of life, causing
  great harm.
• It doesnt have to be this way ...

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Introduction

• Booths London Drunk for a penny, blind drunk
  for tuppence
• Australia today ? (See Table 1)
• The Army way treat causes not just symptoms
• Defining culture The way we do things around
  here
• or
• A set of shared assumptions about what is
  normal, acceptable, desirable or undesirable,
  shared stories, values, understandings of social
  roles, language and more.
• Culture is not beyond the control of its
  participants, but takes time effort to change.

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Table 1 Some current Australian alcohol harm

• Alcohol the most widely used psychoactive
  (mind altering) drug in Australia (National
  Alcohol Strategy).
• Just under nine percent of drinkers do so at
  levels considered risky or high risk for both
  short and long-term harm. (Australian Institute
  of Health and Welfare 2010 Australias Health
  2010. Australias Health Series No. 12. Cat. No.
  AUS 122. Canberra AIHW.)
• Over 450,000 children (13.2 percent) live in
  households where they are at risk of exposure to
  binge drinking by at least one adult (Dawe et al.
  2007. ANCD Research Paper Drug use in the
  family impacts and implications for children.
  Australian National Council on Drugs).
• Hospital records show increasing trends across
  Australia for underage drinkers (14 to 17 year
  olds) being admitted for alcohol-related
  problems. (Toumbourou, 2009).

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• Alcohol-related harm costs Australian taxpayers
  around 36 billion per year (The Range and
  Magnitude of Alcohols Harm to Others, AERF,
  2010).
• In 2007 the majority of Australians (around 61 )
  over 14 years drank at levels in excess of NHMRS
  guidelines. (Australian Institute of Health and
  Welfare (AIHW, 2008).
• Alcohol marketers are exempted from restrictions
  on electronic advertising to children during
  sporting events.
• Inconsistent state laws allow the provision of
  virtually any amount of alcohol to children of
  virtually any age, in homes, without parental
  knowledge or consent in some states (Only
  Victoria, NSW, Qld and Tasmania had legislated on
  this at June 2012).

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Alcohols unique place in Australian life the
development of our alcohol culture

• Why drink?
• At settlement
• At 1930s
• Post WW2
• Now (See table 1)
• Perceptions have changed Moral issue health
  issue social cultural issue...

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The Salvation Army, social problems justice
traditional responses precedents

• TSA leading the way
• Seeing a need and moving on it
• SACi changing Australias alcohol culture
• (Internal to TSA) education
• (External to TSA) policy advocacy

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The cost of alcohol harm

• cost of alcohol harm 34 billion
• What else could be done with this money? (see
  next slide)
• Harm tothe lowest, the least and the lost...
  the young, indigenous communities, the addicted
• Social justice perspective winners losers
• Other key aspects of alcohol harm

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What could be done with 34b? (The likely cost in
just one year of alcohol abuse in Australia)

• Buy a National Broadband Network (NBN) 27b
• Lift millions of African children out of poverty
  According to UNICEF, some 300 million children go
  to bed hungry every day. Of these, only eight
  percent are victims of famine or other
  emergencies. Around a billion people live in
  extreme poverty - millions on less than 1 a
  day...
• Pay the cost of physical and economic damage from
  the Australian floods Early estimates have been
  as high as 13 billion, but will no doubt change
  over time...
• What else would you like to see an annual saving
  of 34b spent on?

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Questions for discussion

• Is the above view of culture too optimistic? Are
  we stuck forever with ready acceptance of the
  harm done by alcohol in Australian communities as
  a part of our culture?
• Who benefits from our booming alcohol sales?
• What changes have you observed amongst the way
  (amount, occasion, type of drink) alcohol is
  consumed over say the past 5-10 years?
• What steps are necessary to initiate and sustain
  long term change in beliefs concerning alcohol?
• Especially amongst men, key strands of Australian
  culture drinking to excess, and mateship
  have become entwined. To what extent might
  emphasis on that other key Australian value of
  the fair go for all, and a fresh look at what
  it means to be mates, be two keys to reducing
  alcohol harm amongst men? Is alcohol harm just a
  mens issue?

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Questions for discussion (contd)

• 6. Most negative trends in alcohol harm in
  Australia appear to be accentuated amongst young
  people, e.g. binge drinking, road trauma, city
  violence. To what extent is alcohol harm a
  youth issue?
• 7. Typical government responses to alcohol harm
  involve mass media driven education campaigns.
  Why is this?
• Do you believe such campaigns are likely to make
  significant change to Australias drinking
  culture? What other key changes are necessary to
  achieve long term change in alcohol harm?

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Salvo Alcohol Culture Initiative (SACi) Learning
Module
Part 2 Alcohol and the individual
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This part of the module addresses the questions

• What is the nature of alcohol and its effects on
  the body?
• Why the fuss about alcohol harm from the point
  of view of individual Australians?

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Quick Facts

• A depressant can slow down
• inhibitions
• breathing and heart rate
• feeling centre
• Two different types of alcohol-related problems
• intoxication
• dependence
• Different types of harm to the individual
• Short term
• Long term
• Note Varying effects of alcohol from person to
  person

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The long and the short of it

• Some immediate effects
• lack of balance
• slowed reactions
• slurred speech
• Some long term effects
• heart disease
• diabetes
• malnutrition
• Any healthy benefits??

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What about addiction?

• Relevant statistics
• 5 of Australians drink at high risk levels
• 15 drink at risky levels
• 15 abstain
• Alcohol addiction
• Addiction not the only harm that befalls
  drinkers

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How much is too much?(NHMRC guidelines)

• A standard drink any beverage which contains
  10 grams (which contains 10 grams (equivalent to
  12.5 millilitres) of alcohol (ethanol)
• National Health and Medical Research Council
  Guidelines to reducing alcohol consumption risk
• The lifetime risk of harm from drinking alcohol
  increases with the amount consumed.
• For healthy men and women, drinking no more than
  two standard drinks on any day reduces the
  lifetime risk of harm.
• 2. On a single occasion of drinking, the risk of
  alcohol-related injury increases with the amount
  consumed.
• For healthy men and women, drinking no more than
  four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces
  the risk of alcohol-related injury.

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How much is too much?(NHMRC guidelines)(contd)

• 3. For children and young people under 18 years
  of age, not drinking alcohol is the safest
  option.
• Parents and carers should be advised that
  children under 15 years age are at the greatest
  risk of harm from drinking and that for this age
  group, not drinking alcohol is especially
  important. For young people 15 -17 years, the
  safest option is to delay drinking for as long as
  possible
• 4. Maternal alcohol consumption can harm the
  developing foetus or breastfeeding baby.
• For women who are pregnant, planning a
  pregnancy, or breastfeeding not drinking is the
  safest option.

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Questions for discussion

• How has alcohol affected your life or the life of
  family members, friends and communities of which
  you have been a part?
• A common attitude is that Im not an alcoholic,
  therefore I dont have a problem. Is this an
  adequate view of alcohol harm?
• While any possible health benefits from drinking
  alcohol are at best extremely minimal, the
  majority of Australians do drink alcohol. What
  are some of the benefits our friends experience
  from having a social drink?
• What are some ways we can support those we know
  who suffer some of the ill-effects of alcohol
  mis-use?

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Questions for discussion (contd)

• 5. As Salvationists, how can we avoid allowing
  our legitimate concerns about alcohol harm to
  alienate those who enjoy drinking socially? Is
  there a place in our Salvation Army worshipping
  communities for those who drink socially?
• 6. How can Salvationists who have chosen to
  abstain from alcohol avoid 'watering down' our
  stance, while also avoiding any (even unintended)
  exclusion of the majority of Australians who
  choose to drink socially from being welcomed
  within our churches/centres?

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Salvo Alcohol Culture Initiative (SACi) Learning
Module
Part 3 Alcohol harm Why should I care?
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This part of the module addresses the questions

• TSAs stance on alcohol what is it, and why?
• Australias alcohol harm why should I care?

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Salvationism the good news effects the whole
person

• Hebrew and Christian scriptures no room for
  obvious abuse of alcohol, such that a user loses
  self control (Prov. 2117 2320-21, 29-32 Rom.
  1311-14, Gal. 519-21 1 Pet. 41-4 Rom.
  1419-20).
• Most in the general community would share this
  view, yet over 60 percent of alcohol consumed is
  actually consumed in a dangerous manner (Aust.
  Inst. Health Welfare 2008).
• TSA stance goes further abstinence for full
  members (soldiers).

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• Christian faith includes the Incarnation of Jesus
  God in the flesh
• This stresses the importance of the physical,
  social emotional c.f. Gnostic views the
  spiritual world is over against the material
  world
• Spiritual and physical wholeness are to be
  considered together
• Some important principles flow from this

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Principle 1 We work towards wholeness of the
whole person

• William Booth In Darkest England and the Way
  Out Salvation for the whole person.
• We see the harm done we want to model wholeness
  physical, social, emotional, spiritual.
• TSAs abstinence stance on alcohol not from
  zealotry or wowserism but as an example of a
  joyous alcohol free life.

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Principle 2 We speak and act on behalf of the
poor and marginalized those without power or a
voice

• TSAs traditional focus is on the insignificant
  the lowest, least and lost. Who fits this
  category today in Australia?
• Alcohol harm as a social justice issue. There
  are clear winners losers, entrenched economic
  interests in the marketing of alcohol.
• Alcohol related harms are not acceptable or
  inevitable. There are definite things which can
  be done.
• Salvationists make a radical commitment to the
  care, welfare wholeness of others

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Principle 3 We are actively concerned for our
neighbour

• Motivation for TSAs acts of compassion love
  e.g. story of the Good Samaritan
• We take responsibility for the impact of our
  actions upon others even if this means going
  without something ourselves
• The Biblical concept of care for the weaker
  brother which in the case of alcohol harm will
  include a definite proportion of our friends
  those to whom we minister - over-rides other
  considerations.

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Questions for discussion

• How meaningful is it to speak of redemption as
  applying to the whole of life? What might this
  mean for
• a) the Salvationist contemplating their role as
  Christs hands and feet to achieve salvation
  for all,
• b) for a victim of alcohol fuelled violence
• c) for a perpetrator of alcohol harm, such as a
  drink driver who kills, or a chronic perpetrator
  of violence against a partner or family while
  intoxicated?
• Traditionally, The Salvation Army has targeted
  its justice seeking actions towards the most
  disadvantaged members of society the least,
  the less, the lost. With regards to the various
  forms of alcohol harm in Australian communities,
  who would you pinpoint as fitting this category?
• How does your answer to Q2. (above) impact on the
  kind of mission activity you believe God is
  calling you to regarding alcohol harm?

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Questions for discussion(contd)

• 4. In western society, we tend to focus more on
  our rights rather than our responsibilities.
  Discuss this statement, with respect to our
  freedoms and rights as Salvationists relative to
  our responsibilities towards those around us.
• 5. In what way can choosing not to drink be part
  of a radical commitment for the sake of
  Salvationist mission?
• 6. Some within Salvation Army corps/centres will
  choose to drink alcohol.
• i) Are such folk excused from engaging in
  mission against alcohol harm?
• ii) Are such folk at any advantage or
  disadvantage if they choose to work against
  alcohol harm?

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Salvo Alcohol Culture Initiative (SACi) Learning
Module
Part 4 What can I do?
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Introduction

• Take the next step consider what we can
  actually do to tackle alcohol harm promote long
  term cultural change?
• Note the concept of community development one
  size doesnt fit all. The key is empowerment of
  local communities to drive change.
• The first step finding people of like mind
• But talking is not enough, definite action is
  needed to effect long term cultural change
• The responses of Corps A-D (following) are based
  on real events. Which seems most like your
  Corps/Centre?

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Corps/Centre A

• Undertook action in support of young families
• Conducted a peer-led parenting development
  program dealing with issues of
• role-modeling
• communication
• parenting styles
• youth drinking culture

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Corps/Centre B

• Developed a strong focus on assisting own youth
  group and youth leaders
• Developed of a two-part youth program
• Part 1 factual input at a regular youth group
  night. This knowledge building session developed
  into open discussion around prepared questions
• Part 2 church youth meeting with recovering
  alcoholics (under careful agreed guidelines).
  Opened the corps up to people in recovery.

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Corps/Centre C

• Developed a strong focus on social justice
  aspects of alcohol harm
• Pinpointed three standout social justice related
  issues
• 1. Marketing of alcohol towards children
• 2. Disproportionate suffering of Aboriginal
  communities
• 3. Alcohol advertising breaches of voluntary
  guidelines
• Members queried local MPs on policy responses to
  these issues

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Corps/Centre D

• Developed a strong focus on local schools
  (students and staff)
• Developed an after school youth venue providing
  an alternative to alcohol-focused gatherings
• Apparent key to success ongoing development of
  one-on-one relationships with students, staff and
  parents

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Conclusion

• There is a close fit between alcohol harm mission
  outcomes such as those above (in Corps/Centres A
  D) and the stated goals of The Salvation Army
  within Australia, such as transforming lives,
  caring for people, serving suffering humanity,
  making disciples, reforming society, and even
  saving souls.
• One size does not fit all. Each corps/centre
  needs to assess local needs, resources calling.
• The resources provided in this module can be
  applied in many other ways and contexts.

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SACi Advocacy by the Salvation Army

• The Salvation Army is partnering with credible,
  like minded organisations in the struggle to move
  against alcohol harm towards long term cultural
  change in the way Australians view alcohol
• Involves Australia wide Salvation Army advocacy
  in support of gradual but significant change in
  the Australian drinking culture
• Includes the use of formal statements,
  submissions, lobbying and contribution to public
  debate
• Pray for this work - support it when you can

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Questions for discussion

• As a person in Corps leadership, key issues such
  as available resource (time in a crowded corps
  program, people resources etc.) will doubtless
  arise when considering the range of responses to
  alcohol harm canvassed here. Leaving these
  matters aside for now, what is your gut feel
  regarding the area(s) of alcohol harm mission
  which appear to be of the highest priority a)
  within your corps and b) within your local
  community? Do any of Corps A D seem like your
  corps/ have similar needs opportunities?
• How are your specific corps and community
  affected by alcohol consumption? If we are not
  sure, how can we identify which key alcohol harms
  problems are evident within our community?
• Our Australian Salvationist mission intentions
  include Reforming society and Serving
  suffering humanity. How does addressing problems
  associated with alcohol harm aid in implementing
  these particular mission intentions?

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Questions for discussion(contd)

• 4. Which aspects of alcohol harm raised through
  this module have concerned you personally the
  most? Who around you feels similarly? Have you
  discussed this with those people?
• 5. All things considered, what can you as an
  individual Salvationist, and as a member of a
  Salvation Army centre actually do to tackle
  alcohol related harm?
• 6. Recommended Develop an action plan addressing
  the alcohol-related issues in your community.