News - Hundreds of teenagers die through booze - 29th Dec 2004

Hundreds of teenagers die through booze
By Tim Clarke
December 29, 2004

MORE than 500 teenagers have died from injury and disease caused by under-aged drinking in the past 10 years, according to new research from the Perth-based National Drug Research Institute (NDRI).

The latest statistics from the NDRI found that risky drinking caused the deaths of 501 Australian teenagers aged 14 to 17 from 1993-2002 - the equivalent of one teenage death a week due to alcohol.

A further 3,300 underaged drinkers were taken to hospital in 1999/2000 alone, the study found. The figures are released in the NDRI's National Alcohol Indicators Project Bulletin, with research fellow Tanya Chikritzhs saying the statistics were a reminder of the dangers of drinking.

"On average, the figures equate to one teenager dying each week from the risky use of a product they aren't even supposed to have access to," Ms Chikritzhs said.

"Teenage drinking may also lead to problematic alcohol use in later years. At this time of year, these figures are a timely reminder of the risks of under-aged drinking."

The research showed that although death rates from it had declined since 1990, under-aged drinking still caused 13 per cent of all Australian deaths in the 14 to 17 age group.

Half of the deaths were linked to road injury, the number one cause of alcohol-related death for teenagers of both sexes in Australia. Suicide, assault, pedestrian road injury and drowning make up the top five.

Ms Chikritzhs said the widespread use of alcohol by teenagers in Australia was one of the most disturbing aspects of the study.

"Other research suggests that one-third of Australian teenagers in the 14 to 17 age bracket regularly drink alcohol, and that half of all people in this age group have purchased alcohol from a retail outlet despite it being illegal to sell alcohol to minors," Ms Chikritzhs said.

Youngsters hospitalised due to alcohol have also increased in most states in recent years, the report revealed.

The main causes of alcohol-attributable hospitalisations in males were falls (26 per cent) and assault (22 per cent) and more than a third of teenage females (37 per cent) were treated for alcohol abuse. The research also revealed that more than 80 per cent of all alcohol consumed by 14-17 year olds was drunk at high-risk levels for acute harm.

The research also showed teenage males were three times more likely to die from alcohol-attributable injury, while the proportion of female teenagers drinking at dangerous levels for chronic harm has increased substantially in recent years.

The NDRI, which receives core funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, is based at Curtin University of Technology's Health Research campus in Perth.

From news.com.au

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rm1x said:

They'd probably over do it on other substances whitedevil

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Police launch statewide alcohol blitz
By Selma Milovanovic and Kenneth Nguyen
December 31, 2004

Hundreds of extra officers will be out on patrol in party hot spots.

Police will crack down on excessive drinking and drink-driving as 800 extra officers spread across the state to ensure a safe beginning to the new year.

Assistant Commissioner Trevor Thompson said that although Victorians celebrated the start of 2004 in relative safety, alcohol was usually the cause of trouble in the past and police would again focus on those who drank too much in the street and behind the wheel.

In addition to normal police patrols, 800 officers will concentrate on party hot spots including the CBD and the Mornington Peninsula. Police will ask revellers drinking in a public place to tip out their drink and fine them $50 on the spot.

Booze and drug buses will also be out across the state as police try to prevent a further rise in the holiday road toll.

"I'm pleading with the motorists at this time to concentrate, to take care and be aware of what's happening around them, to be aware of their responsibility to others across communities . . . to others in the vehicles and those who are waiting for them to come home," Mr Thompson said.

Frankston and Mornington Peninsula police have been running a safety blitz since the start of this month. Local New Year's Eve parties will be ticketed, only with no tickets sold at the door.

An extra 100 officers will conduct 24-hour patrols on the Bellarine Peninsula and the surf coast, including Ocean Grove, Torquay and Lorne. Partygoers can expect a strong police presence in other country areas, including Bendigo, Shepparton, Mildura, Swan Hill and Echuca.

Cowes, a traditional New Year's Eve party spot, has been declared a family friendly zone with a strict ban on drinking in public places.

Mr Thompson urged people not to abuse alcohol.

"It is a time to celebrate but that does not mean drinking to excess," he said. "Our role is to develop a safe environment for those people to enjoy the evening."

Separately, concerns over illicit drug use and security have moved the State Government to release a voluntary code of practice for commercial dance parties ahead of tomorrow's Summadayze music festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

The code recommends that party organisers:

- Notify police and hospitals of their events.

- Provide free drinking water.

- Organise security patrols of high-risk areas such as car parks and toilets.

- Ensure that drug-affected patrons are assessed by medical staff before any eviction.

The issue of pill testing is not tackled in the code.

Summadayze organiser Jason Ayoubi yesterday expressed opposition to introducing testing.

"Drugs are prevalent and we do need to have harm minimisation policies on site (but testing) would seem to promote the use of drugs, rather than educating people not to use them," he said.

More than 60 police and paramedics as well as 150 security staff will be at the Summadayze event, expected to attract 25,000 people. Free water will be available from 70 fountains.

- with Royce Miller

From: http://www.theage.com.au/news/Natio...e-alcohol-blitz/2004/12/30/1104344926719.html

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- Notify police and hospitals of their events

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