The Wire

To the delight of the Indigenous Community, the detriment of hospital workers and police and the disapproval of the Opposition Government, public drunkenness is no longer a criminal offence in Victoria.

The long awaited change leaves only Queensland where it is still possible to be sent directly to jail if you are deemed intoxicated.

However, Victoria’s Shadow Minster for Crime Prevention, Brad Battin strongly believes that this change could do more good than bad. A health workforce under-prepared to deal with drunk people is one that puts the individual and others at risk.