Alcohol restrictions in the Kimberley: Findings of two year evaluations of alcohol restrictions in Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek – Why Kimberley restrictions have been largely successful

Community initiated alcohol restrictions have been in place in the Kimberley for four years (Fitzroy Crossing) and three years (Halls Creek). Nationally, alcohol restrictions are regarded by many commentators and health professionals as an ineffective tool in dealing with systemic alcohol abuse afflicting regional communities. Yet, for two Kimberley towns two year qualitative and quantitative evaluations completed by the Nulungu Research Institute for the Drug and Alcohol Office (WA) have revealed significant overall health and social benefits as well as the creation of windows of opportunity for social reconstruction of communities suffering the effects of excessive alcohol consumption, due largely to these restrictions. This paper will reveal the findings of these two year studies and compare and contrast the results between the town of Fitzroy Crossing (the Fitzroy Valley) and Halls Creek (the central eastern Kimberley)