Unquenchable thirst

101 East asks if Australia is losing its war on binge-drinking amid an epidemic of alcohol-related crime and violence.

Drinking alcohol has long been a part of Australian culture. But today, the country is suffering huge social and economic costs from its love for the drink. A recent report estimated that the tangible cost for alcohol misuse is $25bn a year, including medical expenses, lost wages and productivity. Ten million Australians experience negative effects from other people's drinking, and 70,000 fall victim to alcohol-related assaults. With an increasing number of young people binge-drinking, children as young as 10 are seeking treatment for alcohol addiction. Police and hospital authorities are urging Australians to sober up but face formidable challenges from a powerful alcohol industry and an entrenched drinking culture.