A report just released, Patron Offending and Intoxication in Night-Time Entertainment Districts, analysing the behaviours of thousands of Australian drinkers revealed that after 1.00 am across Australia around 30% of the 6500 patrons tested had a blood alcohol reading of above 0.1%, with the highest averages in Geelong and Perth.

The project interviewed almost 7000 patrons between November 2011 and June 2012. Entertainment precincts surveyed included King Street and Prahran in Melbourne, Geelong in regional Victoria, Kings Cross and Darling Harbour in Sydney and Wollongong in regional NSW and Northbridge in Perth.

The findings showed striking similarities across all sites and individuals interviewed. It was found that general levels of intoxication are moderate across the evening with a consistent trend of escalating intoxication throughout the night with larger cities showing high to very high levels of intoxication after 1.00 am. The use of energy drinks and illicit drugs were also both significantly associated with increased experience of aggression and injury with the strongest predictor of harm and intoxication being pre-drinking before going out.

For victims of crime support and advice call 1800 000 055 or go to www.victimsofcrime.com.au or email: support@victimsofcrime.com.au

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