Escaping drugs and alcohol

Adrian Dunlop

“Alcohol and drugs: Why do people take them, what do they hope to get out of taking them? Why do things go wrong sometimes? How do people get into trouble?

The history of substance use in Australia is rich and colourful. White Australia was settled with our first soldiers, the Rum Corps, being paid in alcohol. The original name of Sydney Hospital was the Rum Hospital. Alcohol is used to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, a good meal, the end of the week. It is used to mourn at funerals and celebrate triumphs. It is difficult to imagine Australian society without alcohol …”