Why a coroner says alcohol delivery services are putting lives at risk
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The convenience of home delivery services has transformed the way we shop, but when it comes to alcohol, the ease of access can have devastating consequences.
A recent case in Victoria has sparked urgent calls for reform, shedding light on a system that allows individuals to purchase large quantities of alcohol with minimal restrictions.
Now, a coroner is pushing for change, highlighting the risks and the need for tighter regulations.
A Melbourne woman’s tragic death from alcohol poisoning highlighted the dangers of easy access to alcohol through delivery services, prompting a coroner to call for urgent reforms.
Kathleen Arnold, 30, was found unconscious in her bed by her mother on 16 September 2023.
Paramedics attended their Heidelberg home, but Arnold was declared dead soon after.
A post-mortem examination found her blood alcohol level was 0.54, with her cause of death listed as acute ethanol toxicity on a background of chronic alcoholism.
A coroner’s report released on 11 February revealed Arnold had used food delivery services to purchase excessive amounts of alcohol in the months leading up to her death.
She had ordered more than 300 alcoholic products over a six-month period, including cider, vodka and wine, all delivered straight to her home.
Coroner Ingrid Giles said Arnold’s death illustrated the risks posed by the ease of alcohol delivery.
‘The broader circumstances in which Kathleen died tragically illustrate the consequences of Victorians being able to have alcohol delivered to them swiftly, easily, and late at night,’ she said.
Arnold had struggled with alcohol addiction since high school and had also battled mental health issues, including depression, suicidal ideation and an eating disorder.
Despite multiple hospitalisations and efforts to seek help, she repeatedly returned to drinking.
Three weeks before her death, Arnold was found unresponsive at home with a blood alcohol level of 0.474.
The day before she died, she had walked to the local shops to buy two bottles of wine.
A passer-by later found her collapsed on the street and drove her home, where her mother helped her into bed.
After her mother left the house, Arnold went out again and bought more alcohol.
When her mother returned, she found her daughter ‘semi-conscious and responsive’ and took away half a bottle of vodka.
By 7:00 am the next morning, Arnold was found unconscious in bed and could not be revived.
Her mother had been aware of her alcohol deliveries since 2020 and had written to her local MP two years later to express concern.
In a statement to the Coroners Court of Victoria, she wrote: ‘The delivery services would not check her ID and she was visibly unsteady and unwell.’
‘Even when connected to medical equipment they would still deliver unless I intervened.’
An investigation by Liquor Control Victoria led to amendments to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 in March 2022.
Under the changes, alcohol deliveries required ID verification, and liquor could no longer be left unattended.
Despite these regulations, Arnold continued to order alcohol frequently—placing 319 orders in the 182 days before her death.
Giles noted that more than 150 deaths involving acute alcohol toxicity were reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria each year.
She urged further reforms, recommending a ban on home alcohol deliveries between 10:00 pm and 10:00 am and a mandatory two-hour delay between order and dispatch.
She also called on the Victorian government to implement a new action plan to address alcohol-related harm.
‘Kathleen Dawn Arnold was able to and did access alcohol with great frequency via food and alcohol delivery platforms, including in the early hours of the morning, which I consider to have exacerbated her chronic alcohol consumption at points in time when she was likely already intoxicated and compromised in terms of impulse control,’ she said.
‘I convey my sincere condolences to Kathleen’s family for their loss and recognise the ongoing and tireless efforts of her loved ones, and her clinical team, to care for and support her.’
Watch the video below to learn more about the warning signs and the serious impact alcohol poisoning can have.
In a previous story, authorities uncovered an Aussie store illegally selling alcohol without a licence, raising further concerns about unregulated alcohol access.
This latest case adds to the growing debate on how easily alcohol can be obtained despite existing laws.
Read more about the store’s shocking operation and the action taken by authorities.
With alcohol delivery services under scrutiny, do you think stricter regulations will be enough to prevent similar tragedies?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A recent case in Victoria has sparked urgent calls for reform, shedding light on a system that allows individuals to purchase large quantities of alcohol with minimal restrictions.
Now, a coroner is pushing for change, highlighting the risks and the need for tighter regulations.
A Melbourne woman’s tragic death from alcohol poisoning highlighted the dangers of easy access to alcohol through delivery services, prompting a coroner to call for urgent reforms.
Kathleen Arnold, 30, was found unconscious in her bed by her mother on 16 September 2023.
Paramedics attended their Heidelberg home, but Arnold was declared dead soon after.
A post-mortem examination found her blood alcohol level was 0.54, with her cause of death listed as acute ethanol toxicity on a background of chronic alcoholism.
A coroner’s report released on 11 February revealed Arnold had used food delivery services to purchase excessive amounts of alcohol in the months leading up to her death.
She had ordered more than 300 alcoholic products over a six-month period, including cider, vodka and wine, all delivered straight to her home.
Coroner Ingrid Giles said Arnold’s death illustrated the risks posed by the ease of alcohol delivery.
‘The broader circumstances in which Kathleen died tragically illustrate the consequences of Victorians being able to have alcohol delivered to them swiftly, easily, and late at night,’ she said.
Arnold had struggled with alcohol addiction since high school and had also battled mental health issues, including depression, suicidal ideation and an eating disorder.
Despite multiple hospitalisations and efforts to seek help, she repeatedly returned to drinking.
Three weeks before her death, Arnold was found unresponsive at home with a blood alcohol level of 0.474.
The day before she died, she had walked to the local shops to buy two bottles of wine.
A passer-by later found her collapsed on the street and drove her home, where her mother helped her into bed.
After her mother left the house, Arnold went out again and bought more alcohol.
When her mother returned, she found her daughter ‘semi-conscious and responsive’ and took away half a bottle of vodka.
By 7:00 am the next morning, Arnold was found unconscious in bed and could not be revived.
Her mother had been aware of her alcohol deliveries since 2020 and had written to her local MP two years later to express concern.
In a statement to the Coroners Court of Victoria, she wrote: ‘The delivery services would not check her ID and she was visibly unsteady and unwell.’
‘Even when connected to medical equipment they would still deliver unless I intervened.’
An investigation by Liquor Control Victoria led to amendments to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 in March 2022.
Under the changes, alcohol deliveries required ID verification, and liquor could no longer be left unattended.
Despite these regulations, Arnold continued to order alcohol frequently—placing 319 orders in the 182 days before her death.
Giles noted that more than 150 deaths involving acute alcohol toxicity were reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria each year.
She urged further reforms, recommending a ban on home alcohol deliveries between 10:00 pm and 10:00 am and a mandatory two-hour delay between order and dispatch.
She also called on the Victorian government to implement a new action plan to address alcohol-related harm.
‘Kathleen Dawn Arnold was able to and did access alcohol with great frequency via food and alcohol delivery platforms, including in the early hours of the morning, which I consider to have exacerbated her chronic alcohol consumption at points in time when she was likely already intoxicated and compromised in terms of impulse control,’ she said.
‘I convey my sincere condolences to Kathleen’s family for their loss and recognise the ongoing and tireless efforts of her loved ones, and her clinical team, to care for and support her.’
Watch the video below to learn more about the warning signs and the serious impact alcohol poisoning can have.
In a previous story, authorities uncovered an Aussie store illegally selling alcohol without a licence, raising further concerns about unregulated alcohol access.
This latest case adds to the growing debate on how easily alcohol can be obtained despite existing laws.
Read more about the store’s shocking operation and the action taken by authorities.
With alcohol delivery services under scrutiny, do you think stricter regulations will be enough to prevent similar tragedies?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
