The Role Of Parental Consent In Underage Drinking

December 6th, 2011

Underage drinkingis a growing problem plaguing many Australian teenagers, many of whom tend to go on drinking binges. Binge drinking or excessive alcoholic consumption can expose them to accidents and medical problems problems.

In several Australian states, existing laws only punish suppliers who serve alcohol to minors in licensed establishments, with no legal recourse to help prevent such supply to under-18s at parties held in private homes. Parents can now stop worrying since in Victoria anyone supplying alcohol to minors in private premises will be penalized.

Parents’ role in preventing underage drinking

Many Australians drink alcohol at home as part of their lifestyle. The reason why there is a prevalence of underage drinking problems is because parents allow their kids to drink or even let them see when they get intoxicated. (Source: betterhealth.vic.gov.au) Family life is believed to be crucial in preventing problematic social behaviour in children, including underage drinking. Parents are now made aware that their drinking habits have an impact on their children.

The new law implemented emphasizes the role of parents and protecting kids by penalizing supply of alcohol in private gatherings without their consent. Parental consent is so important so that the liability for underage drinking will rest upon their shoulders and not to the one serving alcohol to kids.

The law will punish minors supplying other minors as well, making it imperative for parents to teach their children both health and legal consequences of underage drinking.

Safest alcohol level for minors

Alcohol guidelines set 2 standard drinks per occasion as a safe level of consumption for adults. A standard drink contains at most 10 grams of alcohol, which is usually the level found in a can of light beer, ¾ of a can of regular beer, 1 small glass of wine or a 30 ml shot of spirits. This safe limit, however, cannot apply to underage drinkers due to their low tolerance for alcohol, smaller bodies, lack of experience in drinking and managing their drinks. Parents are strongly advised to delay the initiation of alcohol to children and educate them about:

* the short term and long term health consequences of alcohol

* appropriate ways of drinking such as sipping small amounts accompanied by a meal

* social pressures to drink in parties and how to respond in certain situations

* safety guidelines such as informing parents of whereabouts, making regular calls to parents, not drink driving and avoiding risky behaviour during parties

Parents who host house parties where minors are invited can minimise underage drinking by insisting upon parents’ consent which may be communicated verbally through personal calls or in writing. Wrongdoers may be liable to pay fines of up to $7,000.

The Underage Drinking website has been developed by Ovens and King Community Health to promote discussion about underage drinking in Australia with an aim to reduce the risks to our youth.