Why do young people drink alcohol?
Young people try alcohol for many reasons.
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Some young people drink because it makes them feel older, or because it gives them a certain image among friends.
Some people drink when they go to parties and nightclubs to enjoy themselves more. The alcohol might make them feel more relaxed.
Some people use alcohol to help them sleep or to forget things.
Some people need to drink every day just to get through the day because they are dependent on alcohol.
Alcohol guidelines
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) released guidelines about drinking alcohol when under 18 years in 2009:
Children under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and that for this group, not drinking alcohol is especially important.
For young people aged 15-17 years, the safest option is to delay the initiation of drinking for as long as possible.
When can young people drink alcohol?
The information that follows is a guide to the law in South Australia. If you live elsewhere, check your local laws. There are references below for more information about the laws in South Australia.
If you are under 18:
You will be guilty of an offence if you obtain or drink alcohol in licensed premises, a restaurant, café or shop, an amusement parlour or amusement arcade, a public place that is being used for an organised event, or public transport.
You cannot enter or remain on premises where a late night permit or an entertainment venue license is in place, or licensed areas which are declared out of bounds to minors.
If you drink, are sold or are given liquor on licensed premises, you, the licensee, the person supervising and managing the premises, and the person who supplied you the liquor will each be guilty of an offence. You could be fined.
If you consume or possess liquor in a public place, you will be guilty of an offence unless you are accompanied by your parent, guardian or spouse.
There is no law which makes it an offence for a person under 18 to drink alcohol in a private home. If there is a party in a private house, it is not an offence to supply children under 18 with alcohol, but a responsible adult should serve it to minimise the risk of over-consumption.
Alcohol cannot be supplied if there is an entrance charge to the party or the alcohol is being sold to minors.
Is it ever good for your health?
Small amounts of alcohol may reduce the risk of heart and circulation problems, and may help avoid gallstones.
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Drinking too much alcohol causes a great deal of harm to your body, and your social life.
Dangerous drinking
Small amounts of alcohol do not harm most people, but many young people drink in unsafe ways, or do things which could be dangerous while alcohol is affecting their judgement and skills.
Many young people drink to get drunk (binge drinking) at least once a month, and some do this much more often.
Binge drinking can cause alcohol poisoning, which can cause death.
Young people, especially young women, are at high risk of abuse, including rape, when they are drunk.
Young people who are drunk can do very dangerous things, such as driving, swimming (most people over the age of 12 who drown are drunk), and getting involved in fights.
Over 3,300 14-17 year olds were hospitalised for alcohol related injury and disease in 1999/2000 in Australia.
During the ten years from 1993 to 2002, an estimated 501 under-aged drinkers died from injury or disease related to risky/high risk alcohol drinking in Australia.
Alcoholic sodas and pre-mix drinks are popular with young people but they can have a lot more alcohol in them than you might think. Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia has published a fact sheet about this 'Alcoholic sodas and pre-mix drinks'