A BLOODIED photograph of a young man and other confronting images will spearhead a summer campaign, supported by the Western NSW Local Health District (WLHD), to curb alcohol and drug-fuelled violence among young men aged 18-35.
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WLHD acting director of drug and alcohol services Adrian Fahy says staff in the accident and emergency department at Orange hospital often bear the brunt of verbal or physical abuse at the hands of intoxicated, often agressive, young men.
“The situation we are facing in accident and emergency departments really perturbs me because a former role I had was as a nurse unit manager of accident and emergency. I’ve seen it first hand,” he said.
Mr Fahy said a weekend did not go by without a hospital staff member being verbally or physically abused by someone who arrived at the hospital because of their level of intoxication.
“We have to target these young men to try and get the message across and this campaign, Stop It Before it gets Ugly, which will also be on television and in other parts of the media, will send a strong message to these young people in a way they can relate to it,” he said.
Mr Fahy said in may instances “pre-fuelling” was responsible for alcohol-related violence amongst young men and such high levels of intoxication.
“These young people are drinking at home or in their backyards with friends and are well on their way to being heavily intoxicated before they even go out with friends,” Mr Fahy said.
“When they come to us having had a lot to drink and taking narcotics or methamphetamine, its like igniting a fuse and they become so aggressive.”
Mr Fahy said sometimes when young people turned up at the hospital intoxicated or under the influence of drugs it posed other problems for health workers.
“Sometimes it is very hard to tell if a person has a mental health problem under these conditions,” he said.
Mr Fahy is calling on young people in Orange to step in and help out their friends if they are getting out of control with alcohol or drug consumption.
“Always be conscious of when you’ve had enough,” he said.
“If you can see a friend or a mate who doesn’t know how to handle that turn-off switch, step in, put them in a taxi and make sure they get home safely.”
NSW Health has worked with Sydney-based advertising company JWT to put together the campaign.
If you or someone you know needs help with drug and alcohol issues call the WLHD drug and alcohol helpline on 1300 887 000.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au
