Fewer parents supplying drink to teens

Young people are getting less alcohol from parents, but the number drinking to excess is still high.

Figures from the Alcohol Advisory Council's Youth Drinking Monitor released yesterday show a slight downward trend in youth reporting that their parents supplied them with drink for parties.

However, they said it was still very easy to get hold of alcohol.

The report says a third of young people aged 14-17 drink heavily to the extent that they could harm themselves - the same number as a year ago.

A third of the young people surveyed said they had five or more glasses last time they drank.

Eighty-two per cent said they were current drinkers, and 29 per cent said they drank at least once a week.

Alac chief executive Mick MacAvoy said the research showed an "established and serious trend".

"But, hopefully, the drop in numbers of parents supplying their kids shows there is more concern out there among parents and the community."

Mr MacAvoy said efforts to combat youth drinking should focus on adults changing their own drinking behaviour, the price of liquor and better enforcement of the Sale of Liquor Act.

Sixteen per cent of 14- to 17-year-olds were buying alcohol themselves, mainly from bottle stores, and those vendors were breaking the law.

- NZPA

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