Our View: Lessons yet to be learnt on drinking

Teenage drinking never seems to leave the news agenda for long.
While the debate about returning the drinking age to 20 continues, politicians are making moves to curb the teenage binge drinking problem.
The Alcohol Reform Bill, which is before a select committee, would introduce a split purchase age under which the minimum age for buying liquor at supermarkets and other off-licence shops would be increased from 18 years to 20.
The age in pubs and other on-licensed premises would stay 18.
The Government is also considering making it unlawful for adults to give alcohol to young people without their parents' consent.
At present, under-18s can be given liquor without consent if they are in private homes or at private functions.
Such moves gather increased impetus after recent incidents in the Bay and Auckland.
An out-of-control 16th birthday party at Tauranga Racecourse was broken up by police at the weekend and 12 teenagers arrested. It was supposed to be alcohol free but partygoers turned up after drinking.
In Auckland, King's College Year 13 student David Gaynor died on the night of his ball at the weekend. He is the fourth King's student to die in less than 18 months.
In the Bay we are in the middle of the ball season.
What raises a number of questions is that Gaynor, 17, started his evening at a pre-ball function where beer, wine and champagne was served to about 100 people, including students.
He then went to his ball and afterwards was found critically injured at Greenlane Bridge.
You have to wonder about the logic of encouraging teens to drink by organising a Remuera bash for them with free alcohol.
Alcohol laws have been introduced because teens are not necessarily able to cope with alcohol.
As adults, it is up to us to help them manage their way through this period of the life in a safe way.
Gaynor's death and the numerous other incidents involving teens and alcohol show we still have many lessons to learn. Let's hope we are smart enough to keep our youngsters in the Bay safe.