More than four million Australians know families where they think children are not being properly cared for because of someone's alcohol use, according to a survey conducted for the Salvation Army.
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The annual Roy Morgan survey found that 16 per cent of Australians, or 2.9 million people aged over 14 years, knew families where they they thought children might be unsafe because of someone's alcohol use.
About 4.2 million, or 22 per cent, knew families where they thought children were not being properly cared for because of alcohol abuse.
About 11 per cent of survey respondents said that alcohol had sometimes caused problems within their own extended family. Gerard Byrne, the Clinical Director of Salvation Army Recovery Services, described the findings are alarming and said many Australians were unaware of the impact their drinking was having on family members, including children. 'It's a major concern. Unsafe doesn't necessarily mean children are being abused, although it could mean that.
''But it can mean things like - and I've noticed it myself - there might be barbecues after kids' sport and people have been drinking and get in a car and drive home,'' Mr Byrne said.
''It can be a range of things that occur.''
Mr Byrne said the Salvation Army was not opposed to responsible consumption of alcohol but wanted to encourage Australians to reflect on the possible consequences of drinking too much.
''It would be great if families could have some dialogue about the impact of this sort of drinking within the family,'' he said.
''If it could open up discussion because sometimes people aren't aware of it - they simply get into a pattern.''
After completing a 15-month stint at the Salvation Army Recovery Service program at Fyshwick, 44-year-old David moved into a nearby halfway house.
David is now looking forward to pursuing a career in horticulture.
''I get a bit emotional because it's a new beginning, a new world, a new life and I'm liking it,'' he said.
''I can't believe what I say to myself; that I deserve this.
''But I don't beat myself up any more. I am a better person.''
David abused alcohol for decades after the death of his 15-month-old son and his father.
As a result of his drinking, he rarely saw his other children.
David said it was important for people with alcohol problems to know there was help available.
