In Australia, it is illegal to consume alcohol under the age of 18 years on licensed premises. Uncontrolled or poorly supervised access to alcohol at a young age can lead to harm. 
Parents and other family members and those in the school environment play an important role in the development of young people’s attitudes and behaviours towards drinking. To find out what you can do click here.
The Risks
Alcohol has been identified as the major drug of concern for the West Australian community, yet getting drunk is often accepted as a ‘normal’ part of the Australian drinking culture. This reflection of what’s already accepted as ‘normal’ in the community is the kind of drinking behaviour that leads to problems involving young people (Office of Youth & the Drug and Alcohol Office, 2007).
The 2005 Australian School Student Alcohol and Drug Survey found that:
- By the age of 14 years, about 90% of students surveyed had tried alcohol.
- Parents were the main suppliers of alcohol to children aged 12-17 years of age.
In Western Australia between 2000 and 2004:
- 2586 12 to 17 year olds were admitted to hospital for alcohol-related reasons.
- 6928 alcohol-related hospital beds were utilised by 12 to 17 year olds.
- There were 29 alcohol-related deaths among 12 to 17 year olds (Department of Health WA, 2007).
Experimenting with alcohol can expose young people to a range of potential harms. When a person has been drinking, decision-making abilities and coordination are impaired and some situations may be more likely to get out of hand.
Binge drinking (drinking alcohol excessively on any single occasion) is common in Australia and among young people. It can increase the likelihood of risky behaviours, including driving under the influence and physical violence. It’s also associated with unsafe sex, property damage, low self-esteem, depression and relationship difficulties.
Regular binge drinking can cause long-term physical damage, particularly to the liver, stomach and brain.
As well as physical problems, risky alcohol use by young people can increase the likelihood of other significant harms, including:
- Violence and fights.
- Road crashes, pedestrian accidents, and deaths related to both.
- Other accidental injuries.
- Drownings.
- Suicide.
- Unwanted or unsafe sexual activities.
- Sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.
- Family or other relationship difficulties.