TAKE IT EASY DURING PARTY SEASON
Published Monday, 17 September, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Minister for Police Judy Spence and Commissioner Bob Atkinson are urging young people to act responsibly during the upcoming party season.
“End-of-year formals and other celebrations are an exciting time for young people and I urge them to enjoy themselves,” Ms Spence said.
“However celebrations can quickly turn ugly if young people are irresponsible in their consumption of alcohol.
“I regularly talk to young people through my role as Chair of the Youth Violence Task Force and one of the major issues that young people identify as a problem is the consumption of alcohol at parties.
“I urge all young people if they are going to have a drink to make sure they stay in control and don’t binge drink.
“There are many examples of young people who have abused alcohol having their lives ruined through violence, sexual assault or trouble with police,” Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson reminded parents that supplying alcohol to young people can be dangerous and it is illegal for an adult to supply alcohol to a person under 18 years in a public place.
“As young people approach the legal drinking age of 18 years some parents allow them to try a small amount of alcohol, normally in the confines of the family home,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“Unfortunately we have seen examples where adults purchase or supply alcohol to young people and its consumption is unsupervised with sometimes disastrous results.
“Friends, ambulance officers, police, nursing staff and counsellors are left to pick up the pieces. Violence, abuse, injury, damage, serious health implications and embarrassment can be the result of drinking to excess.”
Ms Spence said the vast majority of young people drink responsibly during celebrations however a small number of people who do the wrong thing can ruin the fun.
“We don’t want to see end of year celebrations disrupted by a small number of people under the influence of alcohol. This is a time for young people who have studied hard to let their hair down and enjoy themselves in safety.”
For more information regarding end of year celebrations and parties consult the QPS PartySafe information at www.police.qld.gov.au
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Police Media: 3015 2444
“End-of-year formals and other celebrations are an exciting time for young people and I urge them to enjoy themselves,” Ms Spence said.
“However celebrations can quickly turn ugly if young people are irresponsible in their consumption of alcohol.
“I regularly talk to young people through my role as Chair of the Youth Violence Task Force and one of the major issues that young people identify as a problem is the consumption of alcohol at parties.
“I urge all young people if they are going to have a drink to make sure they stay in control and don’t binge drink.
“There are many examples of young people who have abused alcohol having their lives ruined through violence, sexual assault or trouble with police,” Ms Spence said.
Commissioner Atkinson reminded parents that supplying alcohol to young people can be dangerous and it is illegal for an adult to supply alcohol to a person under 18 years in a public place.
“As young people approach the legal drinking age of 18 years some parents allow them to try a small amount of alcohol, normally in the confines of the family home,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“Unfortunately we have seen examples where adults purchase or supply alcohol to young people and its consumption is unsupervised with sometimes disastrous results.
“Friends, ambulance officers, police, nursing staff and counsellors are left to pick up the pieces. Violence, abuse, injury, damage, serious health implications and embarrassment can be the result of drinking to excess.”
Ms Spence said the vast majority of young people drink responsibly during celebrations however a small number of people who do the wrong thing can ruin the fun.
“We don’t want to see end of year celebrations disrupted by a small number of people under the influence of alcohol. This is a time for young people who have studied hard to let their hair down and enjoy themselves in safety.”
For more information regarding end of year celebrations and parties consult the QPS PartySafe information at www.police.qld.gov.au
Media contacts: Minister’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Police Media: 3015 2444