Alcohol-attributable hospitalisations in the Hawkesbury have almost doubled over two decades, as a national parliamentary inquiry calls for stronger prevention, treatment and regulation.
The latest detailed local figures cited in the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network’s 2025 Needs Assessment show the Hawkesbury’s alcohol-attributable hospitalisation rate increased from 283 per 100,000 residents in 2001–02 to 528 per 100,000 in 2020–21.
The findings give local relevance to a new report by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability examining the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs across Australia.
The committee has called for tighter controls on alcohol advertising, online sales and rapid home delivery, alongside greater investment in prevention, early intervention and treatment.
Its recommendations include a mandatory alcohol advertising and marketing framework, stronger protection for children and vulnerable people, and nationally consistent standards for online alcohol sales and deliveries.
Governments have also been urged to consider restricting alcohol delivery hours and introducing a mandatory delay between placing an order and receiving alcohol.
Local survey reveals impact
A community health and wellbeing survey covering the Nepean Blue Mountains region including the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Lithgow and Penrith, found that 63 per cent of respondents consumed alcohol.
Among those respondents, 9.5 per cent reported drinking daily and 54 per cent drank at least weekly. Twelve per cent said they engaged in binge drinking at least once a week, while two per cent reported doing so daily.
One in five respondents said alcohol had negatively affected their health, with a further five per cent uncertain about its effect.
These figures describe people who responded to the regional survey and should not be treated as prevalence estimates for every Hawkesbury resident.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation welcomed the parliamentary report, describing it as an important step towards addressing longstanding and emerging alcohol and drug-related problems.
Foundation chief executive Dr Erin Lalor AM said alcohol and other drug use could contribute to chronic health conditions, relationship breakdown, family violence and harm extending across communities and generations.
“Alcohol is more accessible than ever, especially now that it can be delivered rapidly into homes by just clicking a button,” Dr Lalor said.
The Foundation argues that rapid delivery can prolong drinking sessions inside homes and increase the likelihood of alcohol-related harm.
It also welcomed the recommendation for mandatory advertising controls, saying exposure to alcohol marketing could shape children’s attitudes towards drinking.
Hawkesbury treatment gap identified
Access to treatment is another important local issue.
The Primary Health Network’s needs assessment found that no public residential alcohol and other drug rehabilitation service was available within the Hawkesbury at the time of reporting.
It identified the WHOS Hawkesbury Day Program as a source of free, community-based support for people living in the district, while St John of God Richmond Hospital provides private inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs.
Distance, transport difficulties, cost and limited local services can create additional barriers for people in the Hawkesbury seeking assistance. The parliamentary report therefore recommends improving access to reliable online information and digital models of care.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation operates dib (Drug Info Bot) , a free and anonymous online information service drawing its answers from information published by the Foundation.
People can anonymously ask dib questions about alcohol and other drugs; health effects and risks; reducing harm; and where to find help and treatment.
Unlike a general-purpose chatbot, dib generates answers from the Foundation’s evidence-based website content. It was developed with user testing, an evidence review and oversight from a clinical advisory group.
However it does not diagnose conditions, replace a doctor or provide emergency assistance. Access it through the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s dib page.
Its Path2Help portal can also help people identify services suited to their circumstances and location.
Nationally, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare recorded approximately 146,000 alcohol and other drug-related hospitalisations during 2023–24, representing 1.2 per cent of all hospitalisations.
The parliamentary report will now be considered by the Australian Government and may help shape the next National Drug Strategy and future Commonwealth alcohol and drug programs.
People concerned about their own alcohol or drug use or that of a relative or friendcan call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
In NSW, calls connect with the Alcohol and Drug Information Service, which provides free and confidential counselling, information and referrals 24 hours a day.
Family Drug Support is available around the clock on 1300 368 186. In an immediate emergency, call Triple Zero.
Local figures are drawn from the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network Needs Assessment 2025.
