Rural WA sees shift in drinking habits, but hazardous alcohol use stays high

Data from 2024 reveal that 51% of adults in the Pilbara and 49.2% in the Kimberley exceed ten standard drinks a week, far above the 35.5% average for all of Western Australia. Researchers attribute this pattern to factors such as long work hours, financial strain, depression and the difficulty of accessing mental-health care in isolated communities. Mark Bettini, who took over De Grey Station in 1996, described a past environment where alcohol was a common coping mechanism, sometimes leading to intoxicated staff on duty.

Nyanda McBride of the National Drug Research Institute highlighted male gender, low socioeconomic status and psychological issues as additional risk drivers. Farmer Shanna Whan recounted multiple assaults linked to the drinking culture and later founded the charity Sober in the Country to promote sobriety in rural areas. Bettini now notes a marked improvement among 17- to 19-year-old workers, who are increasingly able to decline alcohol, signaling a potential cultural shift toward safer, more responsible workplaces.