Aboriginal Drinking: A Case Study in Inequality and Disadvantage

Abstract

This paper examines an aspect of social inequality experienced by Aboriginal people living in a remote Queensland mining town. We contend that non-Aboriginal perceptions and attitudes of Aboriginal drinking behaviour contribute directly to structural inequalities within the Mount Isa community.Social drinking in the township is. for reserve-dwelling Aborigines. restricted mainly to one bar in one hotel and adjoining park and river bank area. The restrictions are preserved through both overt and covert discrimination. Aboriginal inebriation and excessive drinking are therefore more visible to the wider community and more accessible to police prosecution than that of any other ethnic group in the town.Although White folk tales concerning Aboriginal drinking often contain fear about acts of violence and crime directed towards the White community. soundly documented incidents are rare. This paper argues that the persistence of such attitudes is at the heart of a symbolic differential between the White and Black community in Queensland. Moreover. problems within the Aboriginal community that can be directly related to the excessive consumption of alcohol must also be seen as a product of these White reactions and perceptions.

Is population flow an unintended consequence of alcohol management plans?

“…Australian rural and remote areas are known to be associated with more problematic drinking than metropolitan areas (Doherty & Roche ), and Mount Isa has a history of initiatives undertaken to combat alcohol‐related problems (Healy et al . , Northern Regional Health Authority ). Males in this study were found to be especially at risk of alcohol‐related injury.…”

“…Reports indicate high levels of alcohol use throughout the Mount Isa community with 10% of the population reporting being heavy to very heavy drinkers (Healy et al . , Northern Regional Health Authority ). Drinking has been described as a major social activity entrenched in the culture of the Mount Isa community (Healy et al .…”

“…Drinking has been described as a major social activity entrenched in the culture of the Mount Isa community (Healy et al . , Northern Regional Health Authority ). These high levels of alcohol consumption have been partly attributed to high disposable income of males in Mount Isa (Northern Regional Health Authority ).…”

“…Although alcohol sales decreased in Mount Isa during the intervention, they increased in a nearby town indicating an increased demand from Mount Isa residents and a willingness to travel to a region without restrictions (d'Abbs et al 2003). Reports indicate high levels of alcohol use throughout the Mount Isa community with 10% of the population reporting being heavy to very heavy drinkers (Healy et al 1985, Northern Regional Health Authority 1991. Drinking has been described as a major social activity entrenched in the culture of the Mount Isa community (Healy et al 1985, Northern Regional Health Authority 1991.…”

Sociology—the poor relation in alcohol and drug research?

“…Some researchers, for example have studied the way in which, among Aboriginal people, kinship and reciprocity influence expectations of shared drinking of alcohol [53,54]. It is here that 'professional detectives' with a research bent come in to their own.…”