Crackdown slashes ER teen-drunk cases

The number of drunk teenagers going to hospital in South Auckland has tumbled after a crackdown on under-age binge-drinking in the district.

Statistics released to the Herald reveal 18 teenagers were admitted to Middlemore Hospital excessively drunk from January to March this year - 80 per cent down on the 94 teens during that period last year.

Two 14-year-olds were among alcohol admissions this year compared with 16 in 2009.

The drop comes as South Auckland booze bosses plan a regionwide forum on after-ball parties, following a crackdown on binge-drinking and illegal functions this year.

Justice Minister Simon Power is also looking at making it illegal for adults to give minors alcohol without parental or guardian permission.

Manukau liquor licensing inspector Paul Radich was thrilled with the "staggering drop" in emergency department admissions in his district.

"Obviously we're immensely pleased with it, words fail me to be honest," he told the Herald. "It's a combination of Counties-Manukau Police and us working collaboratively to try and reduce alcohol-related harm."

He said his district had run the highest number of "controlled purchase operations" in the country - minors being sent into liquor stores to try and buy alcohol - with a failure rate of 8 per cent.

"While no failure rate is good unfortunately there is always going to be one who does show poor judgment," Mr Radich said.

His staff had worked hard with police - in particular officers from Greenlane - to crack down on binge-drinking at school after-ball parties.

They had also run campaigns in bottle stores to try to discourage parents and siblings from buying excessive amounts of alcohol for young people and cracked down on minors drinking in public places.

"It's something we've been working on for six years now and to hear a drop like that is just brilliant," he said.

Dr Vanessa Thornton, head of Middlemore's emergency department, said she'd noticed a drop in drunken teens but was thrilled to hear it was so significant. "That's great and there's no doubt that policing in our area has assisted that."

She said young people often didn't understand the dangers of excessive drinking. "I think they push the boundaries so take on more than they can tolerate. But young people don't have the same tolerance and haven't had the same exposure."

OFF THEIR TREES
* 80 per cent drop in drunk teens at Middlemore Hospital.
* 18 admitted from January to March this year, 94 last year.

UNDER-18 OFFENCES
* Buying alcohol = $200 fine.
* Being in restricted area licensed premises without legal guardian = Fee of $200/fine up to $2000.
* Drinking or possession of alcohol in public place = Fee of $200/fine up to $300.