Kimberley alcohol crisis: Alcoholics drinking hand sanitiser following Banned Drinkers Register changes

Alcoholics barred from buying grog in the Kimberley have resorted to drinking hand sanitiser, with one 28-year-old Balgo woman, who is on the register and drinks sanitiser herself, saying it was the only option for desperate alcoholics. The Broome Advertiser sat down with the woman, Trevena Jane, who said others on the register were doing the same, or drinking methylated spirits. A typical bottle of hand sanitiser contains between 60 to 95 per cent ethyl alcohol or 70 to 95 per cent isopropyl alcohol. “I was on the register for three months already and then the police found me with a red can and put me on for another three months,” Ms Jane said. “I can’t use my ID for six months so I drink hand sanitiser when I can’t get alcohol.” It follows legislative changes to the Banned Drinkers Register late last year, which allowed police, social workers, and doctors to put people on the register, as well as requiring mandatory participation by all liquor outlets. According to WA Government statistics, since the changes, social workers and doctors have not referred anyone to the register. Of the 318 Kimberley residents currently on the BDR, 228 have been ordered by police. The remainder have been added via voluntary referrals, prohibition orders, or barring notices. Ms Jane was not the only person spotted drinking hand sanitiser either, with an anonymous witness telling the Broome Advertiser they saw two men drinking hand sanitiser near the local shopping centre. Ms Jane said it was a common occurrence for those on the register. Despite the increase seen on the street, a Broome Regional Hospital spokesperson said presentations from drinking hand sanitiser or methylated spirits remained the same. The spokesperson did not however provide statistics on how many people were presenting. “There have been no reports of increased presentations relating to the consumption of hand sanitiser or methylated spirits,” they said. “Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitiser can cause serious illness and even death. “Similarly, methylated spirits – even in small amounts – can cause headaches, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, with long-term outcomes including blindness, coma and kidney failure.” Those in need of support can contact the Kimberley Community Alcohol and Drug Service to access free and confidential support services, according to the spokesperson. WA Commissioner for Children and Young People Jacqueline McGowan-Jones said the trend was concerning as children, who can buy hand sanitiser themselves, may attempt to copy the habit. “We’ve put aerosols that kids could use for chroming behind counters and spray cans of paint behind gates but we need to be alert to what the alternatives are,” she said. “We also need really good public health campaigns that talk about the dangers of ingesting things like hand sanitiser, methylated spirits, and paint strippers. “The BDR hasn’t been all that successful in the Northern Territory and there are many more ways we could manage alcohol problems that would have a much bigger community benefit.” As the legislation passed late last year, Kimberley Regional Group chair David Menzel said the region urgently needed investment into appropriate infrastructure and services including mental health, alcohol, and other drug services. “This (BDR) reform will only succeed if the wraparound services are provided,” he said. Recently appointed Racing and Gaming Minister and Police Minister Paul Papalia was contacted for comment but did not respond. A review after two years is mandated in the legislation to determine the success of the changes to the BDR. It follows Liquor Licensing Director Lannie Chopping proposing extensive new alcohol restrictions for Broome and Derby on January 8. The restrictions would include limiting takeaway sales to a single carton of full-strength beer per customer per day or two bottles of wine, one litre of spirits, or one litre of fortified wine among a slew of other restrictions. Lifeline: 13 11 14