Aborigines and alcohol: intake, effects and social implications in a rural community in Western New South Wales
Kamien, M.
Medical Journal of Australia 1(10): 291-298
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 1168840 Document Number: 90892
Of 124 Aboriginal men studied in a small town in rural New South Wales 66, but of 128 women only 4, drank more than 80 g alcohol daily. Of the total adult male Aboriginal population of 156 there were 49 who were considered problem drinkers, dependent on alcohol to the extent that it frequently interfered with family, community or economic life, whereas of the 128 women only 5 were so classified. Drinking was considered due to group psychosocial pressures rather than individual psychiatric disorder. Improvement in social circumstances by community development promises to reduce amount and frequency of drinking episodes.