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Alcohol is the major cause of violence and anti-social behaviour around Canberra’s entertainment precincts.
If you are involved in an incident you may find yourself with a Criminal Infringement Notice or arrested, charged and put before court.
It is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol. More information on drink driving.
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with alcohol there are a number of support services available who can provide you with assistance.
Consuming alcohol on a night out
When you consume excessive amounts of alcohol, you greatly increase the potential of becoming a victim of crime or involved in criminal activity.
To ensure you have a safe night out:
- plan a safe way home
- don’t pre-load before events - you risk missing out on all the fun
- don’t leave your drink unattended and make sure you watch your friends’ drinks
- it’s ok to say no if friends offer you more alcohol than you had planned to drink
- look after your friends and be aware of what is happening around you
- don’t let a stranger buy you a drink
- if you are drinking, make sure you eat before you go out and drink plenty of water throughout the night
- know your drinking limit and stick to it. Remember everybody handles alcohol differently and don’t try and keep up with your mates
- alcohol and drugs don’t mix. Don’t risk it
- know what an Australian standard drink is.
Drink spiking
Drink spiking occurs when a drug or more alcohol is secretly placed in a person's drink.
Remember to keep an eye on your drink at all times and:
- never accept drinks from people you don’t know
- ask a friend to mind your drink if you need to leave it
- use something to cover your drink when you’re not drinking it.
If you see someone acting strange, or appearing excessively drunk and disorderly despite not having much to drink, do not leave them alone and make sure to seek help.
If any serious signs occur such as vomiting, passing out or becoming incoherent call 000 immediately.
Drink spiking is a crime. If you think your drink has been spiked, contact police on 131 444 to report the incident or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
For more information on drink spiking visit the Alcohol Think Again website.
Alcohol and youth
In the ACT, if you are under the age of 18 it is illegal to:
- possess or consume alcohol in a public place
- buy, possess or drink alcohol on licensed premises
- get someone who is over 18 years of age to buy or supply you with alcohol in a licensed premise or public place. Both you and the person supplying the alcohol have committed an offence
- drive on a learner or provisional license under the influence of alcohol. New legislation restricts you to a blood-alcohol concentration limit of zero. Loss of license and penalties apply
Drinking alcohol is associated with risky behaviours such as:
- riding in a car with a driver affected by alcohol
- risky sexual behaviour and increased risk of sexual coercion
- violence
- using illicit drugs
- self harm
It is an offence for a person to supply liquor to a minor in a private place (such as a home) unless:
- the person supplying the liquor is the parent or guardian of the minor or has the permission of the parent or guardian of the minor AND
- the supply is consistent with the responsible supervision of the minor.
This means that an offence would be committed in the following scenarios:
- the parent or guardian of a minor provides the minor with alcohol, in a manner that is not consistent with responsible supervision of the minor;
- a person who has permission from the parent or guardian of a minor provides the minor with alcohol, in a manner that is not consistent with responsible supervision of the minor; and
- a person who is not the parent or guardian of a minor provides the minor with alcohol and does not have permission from the minor’s parent or guardian. In this case it will be irrelevant whether the supply of alcohol was consistent with responsible supervision of the minor.
ACT Policing’s Community Engagement Team regularly visit schools throughout Canberra educating students on the dangers associated with alcohol and drug consumption. If you would like the team to visit your school please make a request via email.
When a child is caught underage drinking they will be taken into police custody and their parents/carers will be requested to attend the police station. Depending on the circumstance the youth may be provided with the opportunity to undergo an alcohol diversion.
If they are considered for an alcohol diversion they will be contacted by the ACT Health Directorate and will have to attend a one hour education and assessment session with a qualified nurse and be educated on the dangers of drinking alcohol. If the child does not agree to the process, the child may be charged and the matter referred to court.
Police can also consider initiating a prosecution for the alcohol offence. This prosecution may involve a Caution, a Criminal Infringement Notice or a summons to answer the charge in the Children’s Court.
Many parents are concerned that at some stage their children will be exposed to the issue of teenage drinking.
Whether their teenager is planning a party, has arrived home sick and/or drunk, wants to experiment with alcohol for the first time or alcohol has been found among the teenagers belongings, a parents best approach is open communication within their family.
Keep your kids safe by:
- knowing their plans for the evening, who they are with, their transportation method and how to contact them
- calling or sending an SMS during the night to see how they are
- ensuring they do not have access to alcohol in your home
- talking to them about the effects of drugs and alcohol.
Territory Targeting Team
ACT Policing’s Territory Targeting Team (TTT) provides high visibility policing around licensed premises and entertainment precincts targeting alcohol fuelled anti-social or violent behaviour that places the safety and security of others at risk. Their aim is to provide a safe environment for both patrons and staff.
The TTT priorities are:
- to prevent and reduce alcohol-related violence
- encourage safer and more responsible drinking behaviours
- engage with licensees and the community to provide a greater awareness of the issues resulting from excessive alcohol consumption
- engage with government agencies to achieve a coordinated approach to tackling alcohol fuelled and anti-social behaviour.
The TTT also conduct activities in support of the Liquor Act 2010 through proactive stakeholder education, engagement and enforcement activities throughout the ACT.
CBR NightCrew
Creating a safe space to help people have a safer night out in Canberra.
As part of their community involvement, St John Ambulance ACT has been providing a safe environment within the Canberra CBD through our CBR NightCrew program.
This program services the Canberra community by providing a safe space for young people in distress in Civic during the night on Thursdays (Daylight saving months only), Fridays and Saturdays and is predominantly provided for the safety of our youth.
The CBR NightCrew safe space tent provides:
- Chairs for people to rest,
- water for hydration,
- advice and assistance for safe transport options,
- basic First Aid
- mobile phone charging, so that people can contact friends or arrange a lift home.
The program operates a safe space behind Platform 5 of the Civic bus interchange on Mort Street and is staffed between 10pm and 2:30am on Thursdays (Daylight saving months only), and 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Roving teams of volunteers move around Canberra City to help those that come in harm’s way or provide assistance in avoiding it. Canberra is still one of the safest capital cities in Australia, St John CBR NightCrew hopes to keep it that way.
Sobering Up Shelter Canberra
The Sobering Up Shelter (SUS) is a voluntary, confidential service that provides overnight support, care and monitoring for people over the age of 18 recovering from alcohol and/ or other drug intoxication.
The service is staffed by Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Workers and is open every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night from 11pm to 11am, with last admission at 6.00am.
As well as monitoring overnight, the service provides individualised education, information and support for alcohol and other drug related issues such as:
- The effects of alcohol and other drugs on physical and mental health
- The impact of alcohol and other drugs on relationships, work or study
- Strategies to quit or reduce drinking or drug use
- Harm minimisation
They can also assist with referrals to other services including:
- Detox & withdrawal programs
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs
- Drug and alcohol support services and counselling
- Mental health services
- Supported accommodation
Referrals to the Sobering Up Shelter can be made by individuals, friends, family members, ACT Policing, and the ACT Ambulance by contacting the service directly on 6163 3711 or 0406 377 623. For enquiries contact 6163 7600 during business hours.