Clinton and Dr. Anne-Marie Laslett, lead researcher at La Trobe University’s Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, discuss a new study in Addiction journal revealing that about a fifth of adult Australians experienced harm from excessive drinking by acquaintances.

The study highlights the disproportionate impact on women, especially those living with heavy drinkers.

Dr. Laslett emphasises the need for urgent policy changes to support affected regional women and children. Over two-thirds of participants reported heavy drinkers in their lives, with over 22% reporting negative effects.

Six percent experienced harm from household members’ drinking, 15% from non-cohabitating family, seven percent from friends, and three percent from co-workers in the past year.

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