Alcohol misuse by young criticised

Press, 6 September 1983, Page 6

Alcohol misuse by young criticised

Alcohol problems are an increasing trend among under-age drinkers, said the chairman of the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council, Mr John Robertson, in Christchurch yesterday. Statistics showed that the misuse and abuse of alcohol were found more and more among under-age drinkers. “I am talking about people who are normally moderate drinkers but all of a sudden they misuse it,” he said,

Physical symptoms might not show until later life but there were other social costs that had to be faced. Young drinking drivers were a big road risk and many people who appeared in court on violence charges had taken alcohol at some stage.

The under-age drinker was also getting alcohol in larger amounts. Mr Robertson said he was concerned at complaints about sports clubs. They were not the only ones supplying alcohol to young people but it was important that alcohol was not linked to club activities and a healthy life style.

He addressed a public meeting in Christchurch yesterday about the council’s prevention policies. Mr Robertson said New Zealand was as far ahead as any other nation in getting data on which to base prevention policies. Its size was also an advantage when it came to working with all parties in the “alcohol environment.”

A.L.A.C. was campaigning to ban liquor advertising on

television and in cinemas, which catered to young audiences. The council was also working on a voluntary advertising code which the liquor industry might accept for its printed advertising. Otherwise legislation was the only option. Printed advertising should show little more than the price, product and where it was available. But the code and penalties had to be imposed by the industry itself. Mr Robertson said he had some doubts about a total advertising ban on liquor. Overseas research had indicated that liquor advertising was linked to a 10 per cent rise in alcohol consumption, but it might not work in reverse.

“I feel that taking advertising off altogether is not going to stop the promotion of alcohol,” he said.

A balanced approach was needed in prevention policies. The ordinary social drinker should not be denied some information about the product.