The Territory's battle

22 September 2011 | 0:00 - By

Video journalist Richard Davis on the toll alcohol continues to take on Northern Territory Aboriginal communities.

WIP 190911 INTERVENTION ALCOHOL MASTER 00033116_318427037

Patrick Braun is a giant of a man. In his younger years he was a legendary footballer in the Northern Territory, who used his physical size to dominate his opponents on the field.  

He was a role model for other Aboriginal men growing up in the Territory, but Patrick found he was drinking too much grog. Years later he sought help and has turned his life around.

Patrick’s fight with alcohol is part of a battle that’s being waged across the Northern Territory. The intervention was set up in part to address the problem, but the fight goes on.

During my stay in Alice Springs I discovered the dimensions of the problem. The Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service told me the vast majority of offences coming before the courts are linked to alcohol and it dominates the organisation’s workload.

Alice Springs’ ‘sobering-up shelter’ is extremely busy, with nearly 3,500 admissions in a town of less than 30-thousand permanent residents. Its rehabilitation services are also flat out.

People are seeking help, just like Patrick Braun has done. His success at controlling his drinking has set an example for others, like his football skills did when he was younger.

The hope is more will follow his lead.  
 


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