A large proportion of emergency department presentations are related to the misuse of alcohol and other drugs. This has a significant effect on other patients, hospital staff, and the safe and efficient functioning of the ED.
In response to these issues, ACEM has released a Statement on Alcohol Harm and Statement on Harm Minimisation Relating to Drug Use, outlining our stance and calling on the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand governments to implement evidence-based approaches to harm minimisation through harm reduction, demand reduction and supply reduction. ACEM supports people-focused harm reduction policies and interventions that recognise the socioeconomic and cultural context of alcohol and other drug use, rather than prohibitionist and punitive methods.
ACEM also supports the advocacy efforts of partner groups such as the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), and holds membership on the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol and Alcohol Change Victoria, which all call for better government regulation of the alcohol industry and alcoholic products.