Curfews, time delays on home-delivered alcohol urged after woman drank herself to death

Introduction: The Growing Crisis of Alcohol Misuse in Victoria

The alarming rise in alcohol-related health issues in Victoria has sparked urgent calls for action from health experts and policymakers. According to Chris Christoforou, CEO of the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, nearly one in three presentations for drug and alcohol treatment are alcohol-related. This trend has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic, with requests for alcohol support increasing by 50 percent. The lack of regulation in alcohol delivery services has been identified as a significant contributor to this crisis, with many services operating transactionally without assessing the wellbeing of customers. This has left vulnerable individuals, such as those struggling with chronic alcohol use, at greater risk. Christoforou emphasizes the need for systemic change, including the creation of an alcohol taskforce to address concerning behavior patterns and mitigate harm.

The Tragic Case of Arnold: A Call to Action

The tragic death of a 30-year-old woman, referred to as Arnold, has brought the issue of unchecked alcohol access into sharp focus. Arnold, who had a long history of mental health struggles and substance misuse, had been working to maintain sobriety. However, her efforts were severely hampered by the ease with which she could access alcohol through food and alcohol delivery platforms. Her mother raised concerns with local authorities as early as mid-2022, highlighting how these services often operated outside legislated delivery limitations, delivering alcohol as late as 4am without proper ID checks. Despite her struggles, Arnold was able to place 213 food delivery orders over 182 days in the six months leading up to her death, with 98 of these orders containing alcohol. This included 319 alcohol-based products, such as wine, vodka, and cider. The coroner’s investigation revealed that two restaurants had supplied Arnold with alcohol in quantities exceeding delivery restrictions, while one delivered alcohol outside its licensed hours.

The Coroner’s Findings: Gaps in Regulation and Support

The coroner’s report underscores the broader implications of Arnold’s case, highlighting the gaps in regulation and support systems for individuals struggling with alcohol misuse. Arnold’s history of mental health issues, substance misuse, and multiple hospitalizations for conditions including liver cirrhosis and depression paints a picture of a complex and deeply entrenched struggle. Despite her engagement with alcohol and drug services and periods of reduced drinking, Arnold was unable to achieve sustained sobriety. The coroner noted that her death was not an isolated incident; approximately 150 deaths involving the acute toxic effects of alcohol are reported to the coroner’s office each year. However, this figure represents only a fraction of alcohol-related deaths, as many fatalities resulting from chronic alcohol use are classified as natural causes and thus not reported. This underscores the need for comprehensive policy reforms to address the root causes of alcohol-related harm.

Policy Gaps and the Need for Action

Victoria’s lack of a coherent strategy to tackle alcohol misuse has been a major contributing factor to the current crisis. The state’s alcohol action plan expired over a decade ago, leaving a policy vacuum that has yet to be filled. While a new 10-year strategy to address alcohol and other drug harms was announced in April 2024, the coroner notes that this work is still in its early stages. To address the issue, Coroner Giles has recommended several measures, including prohibiting home alcohol delivery between 10pm and 10am, and introducing a minimum two-hour delay between order and dispatch for home deliveries. These recommendations aim to reduce the ease of access to alcohol, particularly for vulnerable individuals. Additionally, Giles has called for the development of a new alcohol action plan, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions across areas such as pricing, regulation, advertising, healthcare, education, and social attitudes toward alcohol.

The Broader Implications of Alcohol Misuse

The impact of alcohol misuse extends far beyond individual lives, affecting families and communities. Approximately 60 percent of family violence cases in Victoria involve alcohol, highlighting the urgent need for action to address this issue. The coroner’s report emphasizes the importance of addressing alcohol-related harm through a multifaceted approach that involves both policy changes and community engagement. By targeting the root causes of alcohol misuse, such as accessibility and social attitudes, Victoria can work toward reducing the devastating consequences of alcohol-related harm. The recommendations outlined in the coroner’s report provide a roadmap for achieving this goal, but they require prompt and decisive action from policymakers.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

The tragic death of Arnold serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in Victoria’s approach to alcohol misuse. The lack of regulation in alcohol delivery services, combined with the absence of a comprehensive alcohol action plan, has created an environment in which vulnerable individuals are at greater risk of harm. The coroner’s recommendations, including stricter delivery regulations and the development of a new alcohol action plan, offer a path forward. Implementing these measures will require collaboration between policymakers, health professionals, and the community, but the stakes could not be higher. By taking action now, Victoria can reduce the devastating impact of alcohol misuse and create a safer, healthier future for all.