The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association has welcomed news police will be stripped of the power to arrest people for being drunk in public from Melbourne Cup Day, saying it will be a good “pressure test” for the new rules on November 7.

The police association fears it will be a “baptism of fire” for police when the law changes on November 7, but Sam Biondo, Executive Officer at the Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association, said the right decision was being made.

“We’ve had had quite considerable amounts of pain and suffering inflicted on the community through treating it as a law and order issue,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear his reaction