Alcohol is ingrained in the social fabric of how we connect in Australia, available in every social occasion, along with a culture which normalises overconsumption leading to the slippery slope of addiction. The latest research from the National Drug Research Institute estimates the total social and economic cost on the Australia community at $66.8 billion. Given the extent of the growing mental health problem and the need for genuine connection and thriving communities it's time for cultural change in how we drink and party.
However, economically we are dependent on alcohol, which provides the revenue and margin for all events, festivals and hospitality venues to make profit. Making it difficult for any sober alternatives to operate and creating bias for how the Government treats alcohol despite the proven negative health consequences.

Alcohol is the elephant in the room and it's time to talk about it. How can we create cultural change which can underpin healthy consumption of alcohol to support better mental health? How can sober events and the hospitality industry become sustainable without alcohol? What role does the Government need to play?