By Chris Brown
MORE than 70 Casey residents die each year from alcohol-related illnesses and injuries.
Alcohol caused 694 instances of family violence, 429 assaults and 178 serious road injuries in the City of Casey, according to new government statistics.
About 73 Casey residents died from alcohol-related causes each year between 2000 and 2002.
And 2,870 Victorians die because of alcohol-related reasons each year.
“Australia’s number two drug problem is alcohol and it comes close to tobacco in the harm it does,” Major Mike Coleman, co-ordinator of the Salvation Army’s drug and alcohol services, said.
Casey has the second highest annual rate per 10,000 people of alcohol-related serious health injuries, after Dandenong, in the southern metropolitan health district, which includes Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Cardinia.
Casey has the lowest rate per 10,000 people of alcohol-related deaths in the southern metropolitan health region. This was significantly lower than the Victorian rate.
“Alcohol is a social, legal drug but with that comes the responsibility and the necessity to use it sensibly.
“I would urge all Victorians to ensure their enjoyment of alcohol is not at the expense of individual or community harm,” Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said.
Major Coleman said anyone struggling with an alcohol problem should contact a drug and alcohol service.
Alcohol deaths top 70 per year
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