Information for parents and carers

1. Information for parents and carers

2. Attitudes of parents towards alcohol in Australia According to a Federal Government survey conducted in 2005, the majority of Australian parents: • support a cautious approach to the introduction of alcohol to their children • find regular provision of alcohol to their children, especially younger teenagers, to be unacceptable • do not provide alcohol for their teenagers at parties, even if the party is supervised

3. Youth alcohol consumption – what the statistics say • almost 30 per cent of teenagers aged 14-19 years do not consume alcohol. Teenagers above the age of 18 years who can legally purchase alcohol are also included in this group. • of those teenagers who do consume alcohol, the majority (46 per cent) do so on less than a weekly occasion. • about one in ten teenagers aged 14-19 years put themselves at risk of short term alcohol-related harm, including violence, on at least a weekly basis. Source: 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

4. Why alcohol use by teenagers is considered risky • Alcohol: • is a potent drug • depresses the central nervous system • changes the way people think and feel • Alcohol increases the risk of: • accidents and injuries • health problems • social problems • sexual assault • aggressive and violent behaviour

5. Links between alcohol and violence • approximately half of all violent crimes are committed by an intoxicated person (Source: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2001) • alcohol can reduce self control and the ability to process incoming information and assess risks • alcohol can increase emotional impulsivity and make some people more likely to resort to violence

6. What parents can do • get to know your teenager’s friends • be interested in their life but still respect their need for privacy • talk to them about your concerns regarding celebrations, such as hosting a party, going to parties or having separate holidays • talk to them about the possible risks of violence

7. Party safe • Queensland Police Party-Safe website www.police.qld.gov.au • provides ideas to assist in holding successful, enjoyable and safe parties for everyone concerned including parents, hosts and guests

8. Party safe for hosts • send personal invitations to guests • think of how the invitations will be distributed - try not to use SMS and email • mark the start and finish time clearly on the invitation • have the rule “no invite, no entry” • keep the guest list to a manageable size • let neighbours know about the party in advance - this may reduce concerns about parking or noise later • clearly state on the invitation if the party is no alcohol permitted, BYO or whether alcohol will be supplied • as the host you have the right to ask people to leave • consider using a private security guard

9. Party safe for hosts • arrange parental supervision or the presence of additional adults • make sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, water and food available • plan what to do if a guest becomes sick or intoxicated • ensure that your first aid kit is well stocked and easy to access • ensure access to a phone - have emergency and taxi numbers handy • encourage parents to collect their children at the end of the party • let the police know at least a week before the party, with the Party Safe Registration Form available at www.police.qld.gov.au

10. Party safe for parents • speak with the party host and find out how many people will be at the party, who and how many adults will be supervising, whether alcohol will be available and what time the party is expected to finish • get the phone number of the house where the party is being held and/or the mobile phone number of the host • drop your teenager off at the party venue and arrange a time to pick them up • talk to your teenager about how to have fun at a party without coming to any harm • make sure your teenager can contact you • check you teenagers mobile phone is charged and has credit

11. Party safe for guests • when you are invited to a party don’t spread the invitation to other people • don’t advertise the party on the internet, or with SMS texts on mobile phones • drinking alcohol or taking drugs affects your ability to make safe decisions • it is easier to make the right choices when you stay in control • if you are drinking alcohol, take sips, not gulps, and finish each drink before starting another

12. Looking after friends • don’t let others top up your drink that way you can keep track of how much you are drinking • watch your drinks and your friend’s drinks to make sure no one tampers with them • make plans beforehand about how you and your friends will get home after the party • arrange for a lift with a parent, non-drinking driver, a taxi or public transport • if you leave a party early, let your friends know where you are going

13. Dealing with an intoxicated person • there is NO way to sober up quickly • if someone has had too much to drink and needs to lie down, DO NOT let them lie on their back • put them on their side or in the recovery position, this will stop them choking if they vomit • do not leave an intoxicated person alone in a room they could pass out or could be left in a vulnerable situation

14. Supply of alcohol to minors and the law • What the law says • it is an offence to supply alcohol to a minor in a public place • it s an offence to sell or supply alcohol to a minor on licensed premises • if you do sell or supply alcohol to a minor in either of these situations you can be fined $600 on the spot • if you are a licensee, nominee or manager of licensed premises, court action can be taken and you may receive a fine of up to $18 750 for each offence you commit

15. Supply of alcohol to minors – your decision • Consider • how safe are they going to be after they consume alcohol • Who is responsible if property is damaged, people are harassed or violence occurs • effects on a young persons physical and mental health

16. Schoolies celebrations • for many teenagers Schoolies is seen as a rite of passage • young people need to think through the risks they may put themselves in, and plan ahead how they will respond • Schoolies is often celebrated with alcohol and partying • Department of Communities website with information for young people attending schoolies and their parents www.schooliesweek.qld.gov.au

17. For more information • Act Smart Be Safe website • provides information for students, teachers, school leaders and parents • www.education.qld.gov.au/actsmartbesafe