Alcohol and Other Drugs

The misuse of alcohol and other drugs, including prescription or 'over the counter' medication, has an effect on not only community safety and increasing levels of crime, but also the health and wellbeing of individual South Australians within our community.

SAPOL is committed to preventing and reducing crime and public disorder arising from alcohol and other drug use of any kind. This includes legal substances such as alcohol and medications, and illicit substances including cannabis, amphetamines and heroin. SAPOL aims to make South Australia a safe place to live, visit and conduct business.

SAPOL actively uses a problem solving approach when dealing with alcohol and other drug issues, and works in partnership with government, non-government organisations and the community to combat the harms associated with alcohol and other drug use.

The principle of harm minimisation outlined in both the National Drug Strategy and the South Australian Drug Strategy informs SAPOL responses to alcohol and other drug problems in South Australia.

Latest developments

A report titled 'Alcohol and Crime: Late night liquor trading and the real cost of a big night out in the Adelaide CBD' was prepared for SAPOL to outline the impact of alcohol misuse and violence, social disorder and drink driving in the city. Click here to Download.

The 'Drink too much, it gets ugly' campaign is conducted by the Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia, and is supported by SAPOL to highlight the concerns regarding alcohol misuse.

For further information relating to the current National Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption click here.