Chest trauma in Far North Queensland: alcohol management can make a difference

Abstract

[Extract] My colleagues and I wish to convey the findings of a research project recently conducted in Far North Queensland (FNQ), Australia. Alcohol-related violence in FNQ Indigenous communities has been an issue for some time. This has prompted the Queensland Government in consultation with affected Indigenous communities to introduce the Making Choices, Meeting Challenges (MCMC) initiative. Specifically, the MCMC initiative introduced alcohol-management policies (AMPs) within these communities imposing certain restrictions on the sale, quantity and type of alcohol permitted in each community. AMPs and similar strategies have proven successful in other Indigenous communities, both nationally and internationally when struggling with alcohol-related violence. The AMPs came into effect in 2002 with a staggered implementation across affected communities.