The Pedestrian 08 Campaign

The Brownlow Medal is the greatest individual prize in the world’s greatest sport – Australian Rules Football – albeit a sport completely unknown in most countries…

The Brownlow Medal has a chequered history in presenting an example of behaviour not always desirable and sometimes downright embarrassing and shameful.

Most recently most publicised was the reporting of footballer and media personality Brendan Fevola.

Critics fell for the trap of finger pointing and isolating and picking on an alcohol user who appeared to be out of control. The culture encouraged by Big Liquor is to continuously point out that behaviour of this ilk is unusual and shouldn’t be thought of as typical. In fact, such behaviours are normal for those using too much of this drug of addiction. This drug pushes at least a significant, predictable percentage of users over the edge into unsocial behaviour.

Hence the 70% of acts of violence associated with the product sold by Big Liquor. Hence the thousands of children abused in this country because of the use of this drug and marketing success of Big Liquor.

Recently Andrew Demetriou, CEO of the AFL outlined a reduction in the provision of alcohol to the invited and that those players who were overly affected by alcohol would be asked to leave.

The Pedestrian 08 Campaign sent this letter to Andrew for his consideration:

Dear Andrew,

I listened to your segment on Radio 774 this morning.

You were pushing the commendable line that less alcohol would be made available to attendees at the forthcoming Brownlow Medal Presentation.

This is a terrific initiative on the part of the AFL and shows up the total failure of the Government’s and Liquor Industries so called ‘Responsible Serving of Alcohol’ policy, which consistently seems to be place the inebriated on the streets and often in trouble.

Of great concern was your initiative to evict any player who may be considered too drunk, by whatever standard that defines it (RSA?)

Be aware that at a BAC of 08 you are twice as likely to get killed or injured as a pedestrian than would be the case if you had a BAC of 00.

You are more likely to get hurt or do someone an injury in an act of alcohol fuelled violence at a BAC of 08 plus than at 00.

I strongly urge you to announce at the Brownlow that every AFL player will be contracted to stay under a BAC of 08 at all times.

That pubs frequented by AFL – especially in an official capacity – be expected to carry on site Breathalyser Machines to facilitate this behaviour.

That players will be educated to anticipate how many drinks over what timeframe would push them over 08.

I especially urge you to take measures to make sure your employees/players are safe on leaving the Brownlow, and remain under the care of others until their BAC drops below 08.

The message is ‘Responsible drinking ends at 08’.

Please find a generic pitch we send out to those interested in the Pedestrian 08 Campaign.

This is a ‘Responsible consumption of alcohol’ program, putting the focus and responsibility for alcohol consumption onto the user.

Regards

Mike etc

No response or acknowledgement from Andrew or the AFL was received at time of writing.

To see what The Pedestrian 08 Campaign is all about, please click here…