Social Impacts

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use contributes to a range of harms for both non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [35376][50834]. High levels of alcohol and drug use are linked to chronic disease, hospitalisation for mental health issues, deaths due to overdose and a greater risk of injury, and violence. Alcohol and other drug use not only impacts on the physical and mental health of individuals but also affects the care of children, family safety and community wellbeing [29075]. It can also adversely affect a person’s opportunities in life for education and employment, and is associated with an increased risk of involvement with the criminal justice [48039][35376].

While harms from AOD use affect the whole community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately affected by the negative effects of alcohol and other drug use [48574][30136]. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing social disadvantage are more likely to have been exposed to chronic stress, have less access to support services, and to experience intergenerational trauma. All of these factors influence whether a person is at risk of developing problematic alcohol or other drug use [34309].

Addressing harmful social impacts from AOD use involves investing in the health of communities across the life span including: early childhood, education, employment and training, housing and community and economic development [30136].