Findings on NT's alcohol-related violence no surprise
Mon, 29 Apr 2002

The Northern Territory's Drug and Alcohol Services Association says a study which states the Northern Territory has Australia's worst alcohol related violence is nothing new.

But it says the extent of the difference between the Territory and other jurisdictions is surprising.

A study by the National Drug Research Institute says the rate of alcohol related admissions to hospital in the Northern Territory between 1998 and 1999 were about eight times higher than anywhere else.

Nick Gill from the Drug and Alcohol Service says the statistics are high because the Territory has a drinking culture.

"We hope it's going to be a thing of the past," Mr Gill said.

"But it is not possible for people to consume grog at the level in which they do without believing that somehow it's OK for them to do so and it's this belief that is the persistent part of the culture that needs to change."