Emma Garlett: To work, booze bans must be driven by communities themselves

Fifteen young people — one just 14 years old — dead by their own hands in WA’s North West in just four years.

Most died following fights with fights with family, romantic break-ups and in one case bullying. These young people, whose lives and tragic, premature deaths are revealed in today’s The West Australian, had another thing in common. All were intoxicated at the time of their suicides.

We know alcohol can cause or contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety and booze can make existing health conditions worse. Alcohol can cause rage, psychosis, and blackouts. And it lowers inhibitions, which can lead to users making impulsive decisions they would regret if they were sober — such as the decision to end their lives.

For some, the abuse of alcohol is an attempt at self-medication. It may be an effort to mask deeper issues, or drown out trauma. This is a behaviour that doesn’t discriminate. People from high socio-economic areas can also fall victim, just as those in Indigenous communities can.

But the reality is that things in the North West of the State are far, far worse than they are elsewhere. The rate of suicide in the Kimberley is more than double the national average, and alcohol abuse is believed to play a major role in that.

Alcohol abuse is a symptom of the social issues in these areas, not the root cause. But it’s clear it is a major contributing factor to young people taking their own lives.

There are already 28 liquor restricted communities in Western Australia, with the most recent being Mingullatharndo (Five Mile) going dry to reduce alcohol-related harm.

There needs to be more alcohol restrictions — but not just for Indigenous people, for everyone — such as in WA’s agricultural hub of Carnarvon. The alcohol restrictions are fair, and they work.

At the end of the day, it is up to the communities themselves to decide to make change. If the Indigenous people in the community want alcohol bans, then the Government needs to listen. Local concerns need to be responded to by the Government.

Having alcohol restrictions for only Indigenous people can be seen as going backwards and can be a form of discrimination based on race.

There needs to be a collaborative approach to enforcing any ideas which target only Indigenous people. Indigenous leaders and Indigenous community need to be front and centre of any decision which affects them. We need to hear their voices on this issue – they may want restrictions and may be desperately calling for it.

If we use Carnarvon as an example, there are both restrictions on the amount of alcohol you can buy and the days which you can purchase alcohol. These restrictions are for everyone, no matter what your race is.

Race-based decisions can be risky. It must be up to communities themselves to decide whether they want or need alcohol restrictions. Enforcing alcohol restrictions can be beneficial if it means suicides and crime is reduced.

Alcohol related harm is a complex issue and if it is the cause of social issues running rampant in communities, then something urgently needs to be done. It is a no brainer. We cannot continue to sit back and watch young people self-medicate and take their own lives. Taking alcohol out of the equation is a powerful step towards addressing the underlying issues and healing.

There is a reason many mining companies have alcohol limits in place at their FIFO camps. Less alcohol is good for everyone.