The Liquor Stores Association has travelled across the Pilbara, highlighting the tangible benefits associated with the Banned Drinkers Register to local stakeholders.
With the two-year trial of the BDR set to get underway in April, the LSA’s Government’s Relations Manager Peter Kapsanis and treasurer Brent Rudler presented an outline of how the pilot program will target problem drinkers at a recent community forum in Port Hedland.
The presentation gave insight into how the BDR operates and how it’s connected to a range of wrap around health services to assist people with their problem drinking.
Right now, there is no other liquor enforcement measure of its type in WA. Once a person is placed on the register (by way of a police barring notice or prohibition order) the only way to get off the register is to access a series of health and community services or to serve the term of the ban.
Following the presentation in Port Hedland, Kapsanis travelled to Newman and briefed the Shire of East Pilbara where most Councillors seemingly responded positively to the prospect of a BDR trial in the region.
A BDR has been in operation in the Northern Territory for three years and has brought about significant results.
Calls for a BDR have also been made from Goldfields community leaders and the LSA team intends on heading out to the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Northern Goldfields in the next few weeks.