How, where and when alcohol is made available to young people can influence the way they drink and the likelihood of harms occurring. Research indicates that when young people are supplied alcohol to drink at home or when they are responsibly supervised by adults at a party, they are likely to consume less than when alcohol is supplied for consumption outside of the home at unsupervised parties or friends’ houses.
The following actions are ways to reduce alcohol-related problems experienced by young people at a local level.
What can schools do?
- Develop policy and procedures in schools to prevent and reduce the incidence of ‘bullying’ and increase connectedness to schools.
- Develop alcohol and other drug policies in schools.
- Get involved in evidence-based school drug education.
What can teachers do?
- Encourage school involvement in evidence-based school drug education.
What can parents and family do?
- Parents are important role models for young people. Be aware of your own behaviour and your own attitudes towards alcohol use and if you choose to discuss your own alcohol use with young people, it is important not to glorify your own behaviour and be careful of sounding hypocritical.
- Encourage and support schools to increase involvement in programs that improve school organisation and behaviour.
- Encourage school involvement in evidence-based school drug education.
- Encourage open and ongoing communication between you and you teenager about important issues, such as alcohol, which can help provide them with the skills and attitudes for them to make informed choices.
- Encourage open and ongoing communication between you and your teenager on important issues, such as alcohol, to provide them with the skills and attitudes for them to make informed choices.
- Limit the availability of alcohol to your children.
- If alcohol is going to be available at a function that your child is attending;
- Ensure there will be responsible adult supervision
- Discuss your expectations about drinking and travel to and from the function
- Speak with the parents or adults hosting the function.
What can the community do?
- Utilise school facilities for community purposes to develop school connectedness.
- Encourage and support schools to increase involvement in programs that improve school organisation and behaviour.
- Support local activities that support early childhood development
- Encourage school involvement in evidence-based school drug education.
- Create or use established forums to work with parents and carers about setting clear expectations for underage drinking in the community.
- Community monitoring of outlets selling alcohol to underage patrons.