Drink at 18 opposed
The North Canterbury Hospital . Board does , not want the drinking age lowered to 18 “at this time” but accepts that the legal age will be lowered — if it is accompanied by more education about the use of alcohol.
The board’s health serices committee yesterday decided to oppose the proposed lower drinking age and recommended that the board make submissions to the appropriate Government committees on the question. Mrs Caroline Cartwright, who a month ago moved the proposal to oppose the lowering of the drinking age, said the board could no longer just pay lip service to the obvious problems caused by alcohol abuse.
Dr Norman Walker, head of Sunnyside Hospital’s Mahu Unit for the treatment of alcoholism, said in a report to the board that a recent meeting of patients from all age-g.roups in the unit had voted unanimously against lowering the drinking age.
In another report, Dr Morgan Fahey ■ said that almost half of the deaths of young
men between the ages of 15 and 24 in New Zealand were caused by motor-vehicle accidents — and the majority of these were a result of excess alcohol.
Dr Fahey said that the drinking environment of a hotel, or tavern' contributed to a disproportionate number of people being involved in road accidents, compared with other drinking places.
“It is not my contention that young people should not drink alcohol but it* is my belief that there is a need to encourage them to drink safely, preferably at home, Or in restaurants in
moderation and always with food.”
“It is also my belief that we face a challenge to improve the drinking environment in this country which is at present contributing. to increased, traffic mortality and morbidity, and attracting teen-agers to ' drink illegally.at 16, 17 and 18 years. If the legal age is lowered it will surely attract even younger people to drink,”, Dr Fahey said. . , . * Any, decision to lower the drinking age showed, little concern for The welfare and for the safety of teen-agers, he said. , ! , ■■*'.
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Press, 11 September 1980, Page 4
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338Drink at 18 opposed Press, 11 September 1980, Page 4
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