People found drinking in the city’s two existing alcohol free zones along with a proposed third area in Glenroi will now have their liquor confiscated or poured down the drain instead of being fined.

When scrapping the fine several months ago, the government ignored its own recent advice that the modest $22 penalty notice be boosted to $110.

Canobolas Local Area Command Superintendent Mark Szalajko yesterday said his plan to ban alcohol consumption in parts of Glenroi would not be affected by the changes.

“The real deterrent of the alcohol free zone is the confiscation of the alcohol because most of the people caught abusing the zone aren’t inclined to pay the fines,” he said.

“The seizure of a bottle of alcohol is a far greater deterrent that the fines ever were.”

However Lyndon Community executive director Craig Mills yesterday called on police, Orange City Council and community members to “get serious” about drug and alcohol abuse in the city.

Mr Mills said Orange relied too heavily on alcohol free zones instead of a coordinated approach to the issue focused on early prevention.

“The wider community don’t seem to care because it’s only a problem when it’s in front of your face,” Mr Mills said.

An alcohol free zone has been in place in the Orange central business district for a number of years while another was recently established in Robertson Park to stamp out alcohol related crime.

Orange City Council recently supported the declaration of a third zone in Spring Terrace in Glenroi.

Community safety and crime prevention committee chairperson, Cr Glenn Taylor, said fines should have been lifted rather than axed.

“If it’s a larger amount people will soon learn their lesson, the higher the fine the higher the deterrent effect and that comes to light on long weekends where you get double demerits and higher fines if you are caught speeding,” he said.

Have your say: Do you agree Orange needs a new approach to handle the impacts of alcohol and drug abuse? Email bevan.shields@ruralpress.com with your verdict.