Parents should set a good example this New Year’s Eve

DrinkWise Australia has called on all parents to set a good example and think about the impact their drinking may have on their kids this New Year’s Eve.

DrinkWise Chair, the Hon Trish Worth, said the organisation had been seeking to educate parents in its current advertising campaign to remind them that ‘kids absorb their drinking’.

“Our research shows that children and teenagers look up to their parents as role models more than most parents might think.  They observe parents’ behavior and this can have a significant bearing on how they view the consumption of alcohol later in life,” Ms Worth said.

“Children stay up later on New Year’s Eve to celebrate with their family, so our message to parents is to enjoy yourself, but remember that your kids are watching and observing your behaviour. Your actions can have an impact on how your children view the consumption of alcohol as they grow older.”

The call follows the recent release of the latest Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug (ASSAD) survey that shows the prevalence of drinking by minors (12-17 year olds) has fallen in recent years, but that more needs to be done to educate children about the effects of alcohol consumption.

“The latest research is encouraging, with the number of 12-17 year olds who had consumed alcohol in the past seven days reducing from 28.6 per cent in 2005 to 17.4 per cent in 2011,” Ms Worth said.

“Significantly, alcohol consumption by younger adolescents (12-15 years old) had nearly halved over the same period.

“However, alarmingly of 12-17 year olds who are drinking, more than a third (36.4 per cent) indicate their intention is to get drunk most times or every time they consume alcohol.  Clearly there is more work to be done, particularly in educating young people about the dangers of drinking at risky levels.”

The ASSAD survey also showed that of the 12-17 year olds who had consumed an alcohol drink, a third (32.9 per cent) had been supplied alcohol by their parents, again highlighting the role that parents play in creating their children’s perception of alcohol.

DrinkWise Australia has adopted a long-term approach towards generational change in the way people drink through the development of national information and education campaigns that inform and support the community to change this culture.

The initiatives seek to make a cultural change in the way Australians approach drinking, and to foster a more responsible drinking culture and ultimately a safer and healthier community.

DrinkWise Australia is a not-for-profit social change organisation dedicated to promoting a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia. It does this through national information and education campaigns, partnerships with community leaders and organisations, and the development of practical strategies and resources that better support the community in relation to alcohol use and misuse.

For more information visit www.drinkwise.org.au

Media contact: Hughes PR, Mark Williams on (08) 8412 4100 or mark@hughespr.com.au