I think that a lot of you are missing the point here. There was a horrible accident, the ATSB investigated it and found what they found. It is public information and it was released to the media who reported it.
That facts are that they found a high level of alcohol and some grass in the pilot's blood. The media reported that fact. The public hear it and read it and interpret it their own way. The same way that you guys and girls would read it if you were not pilots. Comments like those made on air by AOPA president Ron Lawford do not help much. Ron resists drug and alcohol screening as he feels that pilots have "too many constraints" placed upon them already. The public see this as the industry not listening to good advice. AOPA need a more media savvy spokeperson I think.
Let's not also forget that many pilots are out flying today with massive hangovers and drugs in their system. They should probably not be there as they are judgemnt impaired. Pilots laugh about these stories all the time. Get real guys.
The ATSB and the media did their job correctly. If you want public perception to change then it starts with pilots smartening up to life outside our cozy cockpits. Keep it in perspective.
GJ