Toddler's death a 'case study' for carers

THE tragic death of a North Queensland toddler while in the care of a 74-year-old foster mum should be used as a "case study" in the training of carers to prevent similar deaths, according to the coroner.

Cairns Coroner Kevin Priestly this week ruled two-year-old Luke Anthony Borusiewicz died from a severe head injury he received after striking his head while jumping on a bed as his elderly foster mother slept nearby in January 2009.

Mr Priestly, in his 18-page decision, said the toddler received the injury when he fell and banged his head against the bed frame and floor next to his sick and fatigued carer and another young foster child.

The inquest was told when the woman, identifiable only as Joy, awoke she believed Luke was asleep, but when she could not wake him a short time later, she called for an ambulance.

Luke died as a result of his injuries in the Cairns Base Hospital six days later.

In 2008, Luke was the subject of a Child Protection Order and placed in Joy's care.

Mr Priestly found there was no evidence the suggest that Joy or child protection or support agencies, including Child Safety Services, had failed to discharge their "responsibilities in managing the care and protection of Luke".

However, Mr Priestly did recommend Luke's case be used as a training guide to alert prospective carers and agency staff about the "insidious dangers'' of fatigue when caring for children.

The inquest was told Joy was feeling unwell and very fatigued on the day of Luke's fall.

"Joy had an ‘upset stomach’ that was limiting how much she could eat and drink ... (and) she had four fostered children in her care including Luke,'' he said.

"At about 11.15am, Luke had settled in his bedroom in the company of the 9-year-old foster child (and) Joy laid down on her bed for a rest. She fell asleep and slept.''

"(Luke's) fall occurred while Joy was sleep.''

Mr Priestly on Tuesday found Joy's fatigue, along with the limited consumption of food and water, reduced her ability to assess her "level of tiredness".

"The circumstances surrounding Luke’s death should be used as a case study in the training of foster carers in self awareness and the insidious nature of fatigue,'' she said.

"(It could also be used) training of Placement Support Works and Child Safety Service officers in the need for vigilance in monitoring foster care arrangements."

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Booze study slams Melbourne, Geelong

Several drunk men being aided by police. Source: news.com.au

MELBOURNE and Geelong revellers are the most drunk in the country, and punters in the regional Victorian city are most likely to become involved in an aggressive confrontation, a study has found.

The report, Patron Offending and Intoxication in Night-Time Entertainment Districts, found that across Australia after 1am, almost a third of patrons had a blood alcohol reading of above 0.10, with the highest averages in Geelong and Perth.

While Geelong drinkers were most drunk at 1am, by 4am Melbourne and Perth showed the highest levels of intoxication.

The project involved a research team – led by Associate Professor Peter Miller from Deakin University – interviewing almost 7000 patrons between November 2011 to June 2012, and conducted almost 900 hours of observation of patrons in pubs and clubs.

“General levels of intoxication are moderate across the evening, however there is a consistent trend across the cities of escalating intoxication throughout the night and larger cities show high to very high levels of intoxication after 1am,” Prof Miller said.

“The use of energy drinks and illicit drugs were both significantly associated with increased experience of aggression and injury, however pre-drinking before going out remained the strongest predictor of harm and intoxication.”

Entertainment precincts surveyed included King St and Prahran in Melbourne, Geelong, Northbridge in Perth, Kings Cross and Darling Harbour in Sydney and Wollongong in regional NSW.

Geelong drinkers were the most likely to say they were involved in any form of verbal, physical or sexual aggression in or around licensed venues in the previous three months – almost one in four (22 per cent) compared with one in six (17 per cent) nationally.

Larger cities show high to very high levels of intoxication after 1am

While Geelong drinkers were most drunk at 1am, by 4am Melbourne and Perth showed the highest levels of intoxication.

Two-thirds of the overall sample reported drinking alcohol before “going out” with younger people significantly more likely to report pre-drinking, as were those in Geelong and Perth, where four in five of those surveyed had been drinking before going out, with a nation high average of six pre-going out drinks.

Those who reported drinking before entering a licensed venue were also more likely to engage in heavier drinking and risky behaviour.

Most pre-drinking occurred in private homes, with the cost of drinks at venues the main motivation.
More than one in seven participants reported also drinking energy drinks and alcohol, with more than one in four younger drinkers doing so.

Those who mixed energy drinks and alcohol said they did so because they liked the taste (32 per cent) and because it provided energy to stay awake and party longer (24 per cent).

These people were also more likely to have experienced aggression and injury in the previous  three months and were also more likely to admit to drink-driving (23 per cent) and committing property crimes while intoxicated in the past three months.

About one in six of those surveyed reported using other drugs on the night they were interviewed by half of those reported prior consumption of meth/amphetamine, cocaine, opiates, cannabis and benzodiazepines did not test positive when drug swabbed.

In 2004/05 the cost of alcohol to the community was estimated at $15.6 billion, including crime, violence, medical costs, loss of productivity and premature deaths.

Alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the likelihood and extent of aggressive and violent behaviours and to reduce an individual’s ability to resolve conflict peacefully.

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