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Tag: Alcohol

  • The NT gets tough new alcohol restrictions

    According to the Northern Territory’s police commissioner, those who are critical of the government’s moves to push through tough new alcohol legislation should consider the women and children who are suffering in the NT because of alcohol abuse and drunken partners and parents.

    The new restrictions include alcohol protection orders which will ban people who are charged with committing a serious offence while intoxicated from possession or drinking alcohol or entering a licensed premises for 3 to 12 months.

    According to the Chief Minister Adam Giles this is significant because a staggering 70 per cent of domestic violence incidents in the NT are as a result of alcohol abuse.

    The orders can be issued to any person who is charged with an offence that would attract a potential jail term of 6 months or more and could be implemented before they are found guilty by the courts.

    Giles explained that if people want to avoid these restrictions, they should simply refrain from “bashing” their wives and don’t drink to such an extent that they end up punching someone in a licenced venue or drive home drunk.

    The police commissioner, John McRoberts echoed the sentiments of Giles and said that the aim of the restrictions was to deal with those who behave badly under the influence of alcohol, he went on to explain:

    “This legislation, as far as police are concerned, is designed to deal with harmful effects of alcohol and target those who behave irresponsibly,” Police Commissioner John McRoberts said.

    “Far too often we see people mourning the morning after, because what started out as a pleasant night out for some has turned into an utter catastrophe for others.”

    It will be up to police to stop banned people entering licensed venues and buying alcohol, and licensees may be provided with photos and names of those banned so they don’t unknowingly serve them.

    Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/28/15/53/alcohol-orders-set-to-pass-nt-parliament

    One would think that this move would be bad for business and therefore would not be supported by businesses, but the Australian Hotels Association says it is supportive of the move because it helps staff of licenced venues who would otherwise have to deal with these drunken offenders.

    The post goes on to explain:

    “I don’t think this puts the onus on staff,” AHA NT senior vice-president Mick Burns said.

    “It targets the problem, it doesn’t target 99 out of 100 people that do the right thing and go out and enjoy a drink and don’t do the sort of things we read about on the front page of the paper.”

    Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/28/15/53/alcohol-orders-set-to-pass-nt-parliament

    The restrictions do have some critics who believe that it will criminalise drinking. The post goes on to explain:

    Critics of the legislation say it will criminalise alcoholism and disadvantage Aboriginal people, and say that it’s more cumbersome than the previous Labor government’s Banned Drinkers Register, which created a centralised system for bottle shops and licensed premises to scan patron IDs and refuse service to those banned.

    Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/28/15/53/alcohol-orders-set-to-pass-nt-parliament

     

  • Alcohol, can we get the buzz without the side effects?

    It’s a question we often ask ourselves, how can we drink and enjoy ourselves without the horrible after effects associated with a hangover?

    Well soon this may become a reality. “So called “healthy” alcohol may be just a few years away according to a British Professor.

    The professor says that we should have a drink that provides all the positive effects of alcohol but none of the negatives in the next 2 years or so, if someone is willing to fund his research.

    Professor David Nutt, a drugs expert believes that healthy alcohol is the future of alcohol but to continue his research he needs a financial backer.

    An article on News.com.au provided some background on the Professor,

    Professor David Nutt, who once said taking ecstasy was no more dangerous than riding a horse, wants to create a drink that gives people the sensation of intoxication without hangovers, long-term health problems, or addiction.

    The professor, who in 2009 was fired as the UK Government’s chief drugs adviser, claims to have identified compounds which provide the pleasurable feelings of alcohol but don’t lead to aggression and addiction.

    He sees them being added to a range of flavoured cocktails sold in bars alongside normal alcohol.

    He also claims to have an “antidote” to the chemicals to instantly sober you up.

    “You have the pleasure of being inebriated, take another drug, then sober up and drive home,” Professor Nutt claims.

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/healthy-alcohol-the-wonderdrink-that-is-hangover-proof/story-fneuzlbd-1226758133989

    Professor Nutt has discussed this “antidote” before. He first flagged the concept in 2006 after scientists created drugs to mimic the effect of being drunk.

    In 2009 the professor revealed that he had begun working on “healthy alcohol”, claiming it would help combat Britain’s binge drinking epidemic.

    The Professor promises that his research had developed alcohol which did not cause a hangover or any adverse effect on the liver and even claims to have trialled the method on himself.

    Prof Nutt says that when testing the antidote on himself, he was in a state of intoxication and five minutes after was sober and giving a lecture.

    The professor is now appealing for funding and investment into his research which in his words would help solve a very serious problem.

    Prof Nutt says that his “healthy alcohol” mimicks real alcohol by targeting the brains “gaba” neurotransmitter, so you get the benefits without the down side.

    The Professor went on to explain:

    “The other great advantage of this scientific approach to intoxication is that if we target compounds that affect the Gaba system, then it is possible to produce other drugs that could be sold alongside the alcohol substitute as an antidote,” he wrote in the Guardian.

    “The challenge is to prepare the new drink in a fashion that makes it as tasty and appealing. This is likely to be in the form of a cocktail, so I foresee plenty of different flavours. “

    Source: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/healthy-alcohol-the-wonderdrink-that-is-hangover-proof/story-fneuzlbd-1226758133989

    The professor expects that his healthy alcohol will be ready to hit the market within the next 2 years, until then we will have to settle for drinking in moderation and being responsible drinkers.

     

  • Campaign urges parents not to give their children alcohol

    The issue of parents giving alcohol to their underage children has once again come under the spotlight.

    This time the Western Australian state government is urging parents to think about the dangers of underage drinking before supplying alcohol to their children.

    The state government has launched a new campaign which will feature on the radio, television as well as print advertisements and will highlight the effects of alcohol on the brain of young people. This follows research which reveals that a disturbingly high number of young people are obtaining alcohol from their parents.

    The following is an excerpt from a post on Abc.net.au which explains more about the campaign and the government’s warnings:

    The State Government has launched a new campaign warning parents about the dangers of supplying alcohol to children.

    The television, radio and print advertisements highlight the effects alcohol has on brain development in young people.

    The government says the latest data shows almost a third of young people got their last alcoholic drink from their parents.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-10/alcohol-ads/5081760

    There is an overwhelming body of evidence which proves that alcohol can be damaging to the developing brain of a teenager, yet many parents fail to recognise the risks and continue to provide their children and their children’s friends with alcohol.

    Either parents are too ignorant of the risks to their children ‘s health or they are trying to teach their teens to drink responsibly however the problem with this approach is that it fails to recognise that even moderate amounts of alcohol can damage the brain of a young people, most times irreversibly.

    The post also goes on to explain:

    The Mental Health Minister Helen Morton says the evidence that alcohol can damage a young person’s brain and body is clear.

    Mrs Morton says the advertisements coincide with end-of-school year celebrations, when some parents consider providing alcohol for their children.

    “I believe parents haven’t had the awareness or the understanding around the impacts of alcohol and the damage it can cause to young people’s brains and bodies,” she said

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-10/alcohol-ads/5081760

    I am reminded of a recent study discussed in an article on British website Dailymail.co.uk which detailed the findings of a study conducted by psychologist, Dr Aric Sigman.

    Dr. Sigman explained that delaying alcohol introduction to children is best because alcohol can do long lasting neurological damage to their developing brains and bodies.

    The psychologist has appealed to British parents and parents across the EU to refrain from giving their children alcohol until they are of 18 years old age. In fact he believes people shouldn’t drink until they are 25.He also explained that the earlier in life a child begins drinking, the more likely they are to develop a drinking problem.

    Sigman warned parents that for the health of their children they should wait till their children are at least 16 before they introduce them to alcohol at home. Obviously it is best to wait till teenagers are of legal drinking age (18 in Oz) before allowing them to drink alcohol but those parents who want to teach their children responsible drinking should not do so until they are at least 16.

    For more on Sigman’s research read the full post at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2320218/Under-18s-banned-having-ANY-alcohol-Warning-attempts-introduce-children-drinking-risks-turning-alcoholic-later-life.html

     

  • Do you think Underage Teens should be allowed to serve alcohol?

    The NSW Restaurant and Catering Association (R&CA) wants the state government to implement changes to the law which would allow minors to serve alcoholic drinks.

    Although 16 year olds can’t legally buy alcohol if these controversial changes are passed they may be able to serve alcohol in restaurant bars and dining areas to overcome staff shortages. Currently under NSW law, staff of licensed venues must be at least 18 years old to serve alcohol.

    The NSW R&CA represents 11,500 venues in the state and wants the government to follow in the footsteps of Queensland and allow minors to serve alcohol.

    According to the chief executive officer John Hart, the move would help restaurant and bar owners desperate for additional staff.

    He was quoted on the website www.dailytelegraph.com.auas saying,

    “So long as a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course has been completed, junior staff – 16 or someone in Year 11 or 12 – should be allowed to serve booze,” he said.

    “At the moment, you’ve got a situation where someone orders a beer and a burger and junior staff can only serve the burger and has to get someone else to serve the beer.”

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-restaurant-and-catering-association-calls-for-underage-teens-to-be-able-to-serve-alcohol/story-fni0cx12-1226718539061

    Every 5 years the NSW government has a review of the liquor laws, this time around scores of submissions have been put forward, one of which being the NSW Restaurant and Catering Association’s (R&CA) request for staff as young as 16 to be able to serve alcohol.

    The post on DailyTelegraph.com.au tells of one licensee, Cresent Head Tavern’s director Darren Gunn who claims that finding staff to work at his venue in the small mid-north coast town is a battle. He is calling for people as young as 15 years old to be trained to work in the bar to fill staff gaps. He is currently training a number of 15 year olds to work in the restaurant, with food but he is unable to train them to work in the bar because of the state laws. He says once these staff are of legal age they leave the small town to find full time work elsewhere.

    The post goes on to state,

    Brooke Mozeley, 17, who has been working at the Crescent Head Tavern three nights a week and during school holidays since she was 15, said it was frustrating not being able to serve alcohol.

    “People will call out and ask to be served and I have to tell them that I can’t,” she said.

    “It would be easier if we could serve drinks as well.”

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-restaurant-and-catering-association-calls-for-underage-teens-to-be-able-to-serve-alcohol/story-fni0cx12-1226718539061

    Community groups also want laws changed to allow staff of licensed venues to drink on the premise after hours. The Government is due to table its report into the review in December. These are some of the proposed changes for the state’s liquor laws,

    • Venue licences revoked after five violent incidents

    • Lower age of bar staff to at least 16

    • After-work drinks for staff

    • Ban patrons from “stockpiling” drinks

    • “Water bars” and “chill out rooms” at venues

    Source: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-restaurant-and-catering-association-calls-for-underage-teens-to-be-able-to-serve-alcohol/story-fni0cx12-1226718539061

     

  • Darwin’s Compulsory Rehab Patients may Face Jail

    The controversial mandatory alcohol rehabilitation program in the Northern Territory will be housed in the low security wing of Darwin’s Berrimah prison.

    The Alcohol Rehabilitation Minister, Robyn Lambley and Correctional Services Minister, John Elferink recently announced that the Darwin Alcohol Treatment Service which has suffered some security issues recently with patients escaping, will be moved from the medi-hotel on the grounds of the Royal Darwin Hospital to the Berrimah prison. The move will happen as soon as the new Darwin Correctional Precinct’s construction is completed in the middle of next year.

    The following excerpt from a post on www.abc.net.au explains:

    Mrs Lambley said the jail accommodation, currently used to detain low-security offenders, will provide patients undergoing compulsory treatment with a safe, secure and modern facility.

    “The new accommodation will ensure that people who are receiving treatment will get the help they need … to turn their lives around,” she said.

    Three weeks ago, Mrs Lambley talked to ABC radio’s Julia Christensen about the need for greater security at the medi-hotel where problem drunks are now being housed.

    One man had escaped from the facility three times.

    Mrs Lambley was asked if the erection of electric fences at the medi-hotel was being considered.

    “I think that’s a ridiculous proposal, Julia,” she replied.

    “We are not setting up a prison for these people.

    Of course, we are looking into making it more secure but we are not going to turn it into a prison.”

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-21/compulsory-alcohol-rehab-patients-to-be-housed-at-berrimah-jail/4902784

    According to Mrs Lambley the new location is ideal because it has a large piece of land and at the moment holds 32 prisoners which means that it can fit 100 beds which is the number of patients to be housed in the centre. It also has great visibility, so there is improved safety and security.

    Not everyone approves of the 90 day mandatory alcohol rehab program and have condemned holding people against their will without being convicted of a criminal offence but being treated similar to a prisoner. However Lambley has defended the program and said that positive results are already being seen in the state.

    The post goes on to explain:

    “Since 1 July, 216 people have been taken into protective custody for the second time, 85 are now on their third strike, and, of these, 36 have been referred for assessment and treatment,” she said.

    “To qualify for Alcohol Mandatory Treatment a person must be taken into protective custody three times in two months.”

    Mr Elferink said low-security prisoners will be among the first to be transferred from Berrimah jail to the new Darwin Correctional Precinct, making the current low-security accommodation available.

    Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-21/compulsory-alcohol-rehab-patients-to-be-housed-at-berrimah-jail/4902784

    Mr Elferink went on to explain that a “custodial approach” was necessary to tackle problem drinkers however the reality is that in order to do this a certain level of security is necessary to prevent “destructive behaviour”. He explained that the approach is similar to that which we have been employing for mental health patients for years so security will be of an appropriate level not a prison.

     

  • Are Women More likely to Suffer from Alcohol Blues?

    It is generally accepted that women are the more emotional sex but now research shows that they may be more emotional drinkers as well.

    According to research conducted at the University of Southern Denmark, there are happy drinkers, miserable drinkers, tearful drinkers and even angry drinkers. And it could all be determined by your gender. Women have a tendency to be emotional after drinking than men.

    The research shows that women and men react differently at the end of a booze filled night. Men tend to be happier after drinking all night while women peak at a certain point before they start getting emotional.

    Researchers conducted the study on 230 high school students who were given alcohol and monitored to see how the alcohol content affected their mood.

    This post from British website metro.co.uk explains further:

    And your sex could well determine which you tend to be at the end of the night. Alcohol can put a smile on young men’s face all night – while ladies peak at a certain point before they get tired and emotional.

    Researchers in Denmark threw a party for 230 high-school students to examine how their blood alcohol content affected their mood. The revellers, aged 15 to 20, were checked for their cheerfulness, sluggishness and how easily they were distracted.

    Prof Marie Eliasen, of the University of Southern Denmark, said: ‘We found that low to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with increased cheerfulness among adolescents attending high-school parties. Extensive alcohol consumption leading to high BACs was associated with decreased cheerfulness among girls, while this was not found for boys.’

    Source: http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/18/why-women-are-more-likely-to-be-hit-by-booze-blues-4150334/

    Researchers weren’t as clear on what the possible cause of these emotional differences between girls and boys could be but they speculated that it could be because boys may have been more exposed to alcohol in their lives and may have built up a higher tolerance to alcohol than girls which may translate to girls being more emotional.

    According to the Professor responsible for the research, alcohol education needs to move away from the normal scare tactics which are often used, to a way of having fun without drinking excessively.

    The post goes on to explain:

    The different reactions could possibly be explained by binge-drinking boys who had built up a better tolerance to alcohol than girls.

    Prof Eliasen said alcohol education should move away from scare tactics to promoting how to have fun without excessive drinking.

    Although some students had trouble focusing, most had low to moderate alcohol levels in their blood. This could be used ‘to challenge the idea the majority of adolescents drink in excess’, Prof Eliasen added. Her findings will be published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

    Source: http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/18/why-women-are-more-likely-to-be-hit-by-booze-blues-4150334/

    This research is particularly relevant for parents of teenagers who wish to understand their children better and encourages them to teach their teens to drink moderately and responsibly rather than forcing them to abstain completely.

     

  • Alcohol’s Assistance in Workplace Social Interaction

    One of the best factors about alcohol and the reason why most people begin to consume it in the first place is that it is a social lubricant and a relaxant. Not only is this beneficial when we are trying to unwind and socialise with our friends, but new research shows it may also have its benefits in the workplace.

    Although people often like to punt the negative effects of alcohol, new research has proven another positive benefit for drinking especially for young employees.

    According to the study, alcohol can be used for a social advantage in the workplace by young employees and their organisations.

    The study was conducted at the Victoria University of Wellington by Masters graduate Benjamin Walker and Dr Todd Bridgman.

    The researchers examined the influences on young people’s drinking behaviour and habits in a white collar environment by conducting involved in-depth interviews with these people.

    This excerpt from a post on www.Qt.com.au explains:

    Mr Walker said he was surprised to discover the extent to which alcohol featured in the workplace.

    “Alcohol is commonly used to facilitate team bonding and for presenting a friendly, informal image when networking with clients.

    “It’s the way the organisation celebrates success, as well as the way new employees are inducted into the organisation.

    “Laying on free alcohol has advantages for an organisation – by being seen as a ‘good mate’ for buying the drinks, the organisation builds up credit, with workers saying they felt compelled to ‘work harder’ during ordinary work time.”

    Source: http://www.qt.com.au/news/alcohol-can-help-workplace-research/2037744/

    According to Mr Walker many young employees felt that alcohol actually helped them with their career progression. In their opinion, alcohol is so central in our society that people can fell excluded if they aren’t a part of it, however because excessive drinking is discouraged, employees make sure they consume it in moderation.

    The researchers also discovered that while young people were drinking moderately on a regular basis when it came to functions and celebrations they were more likely to consume alcohol excessively.

    Dr Bridgman went on to explain the next steps for their research:

    While most respondents said they deliberately exerted a degree of self-control over their alcohol intake at Friday night drinks to preserve their reputation, significant celebratory functions, such as mid-year or Christmas functions or team-level celebrations, were more likely to lead to heavy drinking.

    Dr Bridgman said the study allowed researchers to gather valuable information about work-alcohol dynamics and start a conversation about the issues in an area that hasn’t received a lot of attention.

    “The next step would be to canvass a wider variety of organisations to test whether our findings can be generalised across the professional services sector and to add further information to our picture of how young people are drinking.”

    Source: http://www.qt.com.au/news/alcohol-can-help-workplace-research/2037744/

     

  • Serving Alcohol Responsibly: Illegal “Home Bottle Store” Seized

    Police are targeting home bottle stores since the discovery of an illegal home shop last week. Police found numerous bottles of alcohol in the house and discovered that the homeowners were actually running an illegal alcohol shop, charging as much as $100 for a bottle of spirits and $150 for a block of beer. This is despite the ban on full strength take-away alcohol in the area since 2007.

    This post from Yahoo News explains further:

    Fitzroy Crossing police are targeting illegal home bottle shops after alcohol was seized from a house in the Junjuwa community last week.

    Officers executed a search warrant on the home and uncovered 52 bottles of bourbon, 21 bottles of wine, 14 bottles of scotch, four bottles of rum and seven blocks of beer throughout the house.

    Sen. Sgt Andrew Stevens said the homeowners were charging $100 for a bottle of spirits and $150 for a block of beer.

    A ban on full-strength takeaway alcohol came into force in Fitzroy Crossing in 2007.

    Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/world/18767879/police-seize-alcohol-from-home-bottle-shop/

    One of the reasons why home bottle stores are so bad for the community is because in addition to not adhering to tax laws, these operators are not adhering to Responsible Service of Alcohol laws.

    Regulation of these illegal shops is impossible so they can sell alcohol to minors, to alcoholics or drunk customers and can cause violence to erupt in the community without authorities having any means of recourse if they do not know where these illegal home shops are being run.

    This community was noted for alcohol fuelled problems which is why a ban on full strength take-away alcohol was implemented in the first place and any positive change seen by this ban is often erased by unscrupulous illegal traders, taking advantage of members of the community by charging exorbitant prices for alcohol.

    There is a reason why it is so important that people who serve or sell alcohol are trained to do so, it is so that the community is not harmed by this. This is precisely why Australian legislation dictates that anyone who sells or serves alcohol complete the Responsible Service of Alcohol course.

    The course covers the following important topics

    1. An introduction to RSA – teaching you the principles of serving alcohol responsibly.
    2. RSA legislation – covering the skills and knowledge necessary to sell or serve alcohol according to NSW legislation. Here you will learn about the legal requirements of RSA.
    3. The impact of alcohol – including the risks to your patrons, including long-term health problems, associated with alcohol consumption. You will also learn how alcohol impacts on personal and community health.
    4. The section on RSA strategies will provide you with a range of skills that will help you to comply with the requirements of the liquor laws.  This section helps workers practically apply what they have learnt by looking at role plays demonstrating best practice in RSA strategies.

     

     

  • RSA Training: Serving Alcohol to Minors – The Implications

    According to an article on www.thechronicle.com.au young drinkers that are dependent upon alcohol (in other words have an alcohol addiction) are nearly 10 times more likely to have had 10 or more sexual partners within several years than people who do not have an alcohol problem. The article was quoting a new study published in the journal “Drug and Alcohol Dependence” by author Dr Joseph Boden amongst others.

    Although the survey was conducting on New Zealand youth, the culture of binge drinking among young people is comparable to Australia’s.

    The new study shows that these young people are also nine times more likely to have committed violent offences than young people who have no alcohol abuse issues. The implication of this is great because it shows that quite a number of juvenile and violent young offenders are most likely to be misusing alcohol and if we remove alcohol from this equation, the young adult crime rate could drop by as much as 47 per cent.

    The research was conducted at the Otago University in Christchurch, New Zealand involving more than 1000 people who were part of the long term study.

    Read an excerpt from a post on www.thechronicle.com.au which explains more about the survey:

    The study’s authors, including Dr Joseph Boden, estimate in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence that the elimination of all alcohol misuse could reduce the young adult crime rate by up to 47 per cent.

    The research, from Otago University at Christchurch, is based on interviews with around 1000 members of a long-term study who were born in the city in 1977.

    The alcohol study draws on answers from when they were aged 21, 25 and 30.

    Five per cent met the clinical criteria for alcohol addiction. Up to a quarter had problems with alcohol that were less serious but still affected their daily life to some extent.

    Dr Boden said much alcohol research focused on the impact on teenagers – “because they do the most drinking, it peaks at age 21 and drops after that.

    Our study shows these adverse effects are occurring up to the age of 30″.

    He said earlier research by his group had indicated the risks of hazardous drinking patterns were now stretching further into adult life because of New Zealand’s trend of delaying parenthood, which now on average started in the early 30s.

    “It shows people are living this extended adolescence.

    Source: http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/multiple-partners-linked-alcohol-comnsumption/2008849/

    With people attempting to prolong their youth they are also doing a lot of partying which means doing the same things they did when they were younger such as binge drinking.  As people delay parenthood they are able to be more irresponsible because as the post explains, “parenthood knocks this stuff right out of people- the drinking, the drugging.” They normally don’t clean up their acts unless they have to.

    Dr Boden went on to explain that alcohol law changes passed by NZ Parliament last December were weak and didn’t sufficiently address the problem.

    New Zealand’s councils have been warned to take note of the survey’s findings in light of the new local policies they are currently developing.

     

     

  • Parents Supplying Teens with Alcohol under NSW Laws

    An article on Illawarra Mercury’s website recently discussed the NSW law which allows parents to supply alcohol to their children and supply alcohol to the children’s friends with their parent’s permission.

    Under the current law in the state, parents can provide alcohol to the kids and authorise other adults to give their children alcohol.

    A NSW mother, Fiona Morgan speaks about the importance of weighing the issue, even though she would not give alcohol to her son Adam, her 15 year old son however she did agree with the law in principle.

    She went on to explain in the post on www.Illawarramercury.com.au

    “If it comes through parents and permission is being provided, you know what and how much they’re drinking,” she said.

    “If not, kids will get alcohol elsewhere and it won’t be in a controlled environment, and that’s when it gets dangerous.”

    The NSW Legislative Committee on Social Policy is conducting an inquiry into the appropriateness of laws relating to provision of alcohol to minors, with the hot-button issue being the ability of parents to either directly supply, or allow another adult to supply, their children with alcohol.

    Lance Barrie, research manager at the University of Wollongong’s Centre for Health Initiatives, said the issue of “secondary supply” was one of the biggest problems around minors and alcohol.

    “In NSW, there is no limit on the amount of alcohol that can be supplied,” he said.

    “NSW has better laws than some other states but they could definitely be tightened up.”

    Read more at: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1636606/teen-drinking-should-parents-be-allowed-to-supply-alcohol/?cs=12

    According to the National Health and Medical Research Council it is best that parents delay drinking among their teens for as long as possible for their health and safety, especially because of its effect on their developing brains and nervous system.

    Some of the worst case scenarios that can result from teen drinking is binge drinking, drink driving and unsafe sex which is why abstinence is best for teenagers. Not only are teens at risk of teenage pregnancy, contracting STDs, being involved in drink driving crashes and other violence but they are also damaging their health which could have long term consequences.

    How does this NSW law regarding teenage drinking affect RSA Staff?

    The fact of the matter is that anyone employed in a licenced venue should not be serving alcohol to minors and may be at risk of receiving a fine of up to $11,000 and possible jail time for breaking this law.

    A person must not obtain liquor from licensed premises on behalf of a minor unless the person is the parent or guardian of the minor. Anyone who fails to adhere to this law may receive an $11,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment (or both). They are also at risk of receiving an on-the-spot fine of $1,100.

    Parents, while it’s difficult to prevent teenagers from experimenting with alcohol, you can encourage sensible drinking habits, especially if you are going provide them the alcohol.