Alcohol is Australia’s most widely used drug, involved in a third of serious car crashes and drownings with an estimated three-quarters of assaults related to alcohol use, according to the Australian institute of criminology.

Now a pilot project launched in the area and funded by the University of NSW is targeting this normalised alcohol abuse in the statistically more susceptible Aboriginal community.

But coordinator of the Maldahnalanga project Ronnie Bamblett said while the program was targeted at the local Aboriginal community he had opened it up to all.

“Alcohol is a huge part of our social customs, if you win something you celebrate with alcohol, if you mow the lawns, or have a hard day at work you reward yourself with alcohol,” he said.

“That is okay if you know your limits and can be responsible about it, but many people can’t and we really want to break that cycle and make alcohol not the main thing.”

Aimed at reducing alcohol related injuries and crimes after emergency services statistics indicated these were high in the area, the project gives the community alternative events to fill their time.

“Our family bingo nights have been a big one because the entire family can attend,” Mr Bamblett said. “It’s an affordable night at just $3 a head and you get a hot dog, can of drink and a bingo booklet for that.

“We give away 40 prizes on the night like gift cards to Big W, Target, Footy Focus, Gannons and Broomes, it is excellent – a cheap night and a lot of fun without alcohol.

Hosting barbecues, sporting festivals and community movie nights as well as family bingo the project has not only provided affordable entertainment but has also opened avenues between the community and services available to them.

But it hasn’t stopped there, with the project also working to engage with at risk youth and vulnerable in the community and empowering them to escape from cycles of alcohol abuse.

“Tanya Aramini and Melissa Carberry have done a fantastic job with this, going out and doing one-on-one visits and they have seen real effects,” Mr Bamblett said.

“They have helped two girls find jobs and that is is massive, these girls now have employment and money and their attendance at school is going great 

The project is set to finish as the year draws to a close but Mr Bamblett is hopeful of exploring other options that will continue the positive work. “It has been a really big success it is just a shame it will be taken away,” he said. The next family bingo night will be held Saturday, November 19 from 6.30pm at the Griffith PCYC.