This pamphlet is produced as part of the NSW Department of Education and Communities End of year celebration strategy to increase senior secondary students knowledge and awareness The information in this pamphlet has been translated into twenty-two community languages and is available at www.det.nsw.edu.au/languagesupport/documents/alcohol_celebra.htm This publication is intended as a guide only. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Persons wishing formal advice on matters referred to in this publication should consult their solicitors. State of NSW, Department of Education and Communities, Student Welfare Directorate, 2012. For more information on drug education in NSW government schools refer to www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/yrk12focusareas/druged/index.php Email enquiries to drug.prevention@det.nsw.edu.au
Talking it over While most young people go through this time having fun and without any problems there are things parents and carers can do to reduce the chance of anything going wrong. You can help to make celebrations and activities safer by: keeping up with what is going on in your childs life getting to know their friends. You can be interested in their life yet still respect their need for privacy talking to your teenager about your concerns, such as hosting a party, going to parties or having separate holidays knowing the law about supplying alcohol to people under the age of 18. For more tips on talking to teenagers check the information on the NSW Health website (www.health.nsw.gov.au/public-health/dpb/publications/parents_talking_teenagers.html).
Careful planning well head of the party date by you and your teenager will help to make sure that parties are fun and safe. Consider some of the tips below. Decide how long the party will go for and if some areas are to be off limits. Send personal invitations to guests. Party proof your house. Lock away valuables and items that may easily be broken. Let the neighbours know about the party. Enlist the help of friends and older family members to set up the party and supervise. Organise party activities to introduce a fun element and take the emphasis away from drinking. Let the local police know that you are having a party. Make plans in case someone becomes intoxicated, sick or there is an emergency situation. As the host parent you should be aware about the law on supplying alcohol to minors. (Refer to section: Alcohol, young people and the law). Consider: is there going to be alcohol? If so, do not serve alcohol to people under the age of 18 what you will do if people under the age of 18 bring alcohol to the party or others want to supply them alcohol? Will they be asked to leave? Will the alcohol be confiscated and given to their parents after the party? making sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, water and food available having a plan for how you will respond if guests arrive intoxicated or bring alcohol and other drugs. For more information about hosting parties you might like to look at the websites listed on the page. Going to a party.
You might like to explain that you need more information before you make a decision. Consider: discussing any concerns and negotiating some conditions contacting the host s parents checking on details such as adult supervision, location and arrangements regarding transport. discussing what will happen if there is alcohol at the party and explaining that it is illegal to supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 (refer to Alcohol, young people and the law information sheet). Sometimes, by making contact with the host and asking these questions, your teenager might feel that you do not trust him or her. It is important that you explain that you are concerned about their safety. Talk about how they are getting to and from the party. Some ideas might be: leave the car or motorcycle at home share a taxi with friends to cut costs stay the night at a friend s place use the train or bus organise to be picked up by someone who has not been drinking alcohol or car pool with friends parents nominate a designated driver who is responsible. For more information refer to the following websites NSW Police - Safe Party Strategy information kit www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/youth/safe_party_strategy Youthsafe - Parent fact sheet - Helping teenagers celebrate safely www.youthsafe.org/factsheets/helping_teenagers_fact_sheet.pdf
Some young people This pamphlet may is produced decide as to part go of the away NSW Department from home of Education to celebrate. and Training s End of year celebration strategy to increase senior secondary students knowledge and awareness Make time to talk about how you feel and talk openly about your concerns well before the event. Issues you might want to discuss include: The information in this pamphlet has been translated into twenty-two community languages and is available at www.det.nsw.edu.au/languagesupport/documents/alcohol_celebra.htm If your son/daughter is 18, talk to them about responsible drinking and penalties that apply to adults if they break the law by supplying liquor to their friends who are under 18. where they are going and for how long who they are going with and your concerns if you do not know these people how they are getting there and back who else will be there where they will be staying how they can be contacted negotiating regular times to contact you organising contact details of other parents determining what the cost will be and who will be paying having a plan for emergency situations (who might they contact) other issues such as safe sex and drink spiking. Supplying liquor to a minor on licensed premises in NSW carries the penalty of $11,000 court fine and/or 12 months imprisonment, or $1,100 penalty notice for each minor that is served alcohol. Those under 18 are liable for $220 penalty notices for obtaining or drinking alcohol on licensed premises. If holidaying interstate or out of Australia, it is important to remember that different laws and penalties may apply. Places offering accommodation or organised events may have websites you can check. If your teenager is going to Schoolies Week, the Queensland government has a website that covers accommodation, organised activities and celebrating safely. (www.schoolies.qld.gov.au)
This pamphlet is produced as part of the NSW Department of Education and Training s End of year celebration strategy to increase senior secondary students knowledge and awareness Make sure your teenager understands the risks of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol as well as getting into a car with someone who is under the influence. The information in this pamphlet has been translated into twenty-two community languages and is available at www.det.nsw.edu.au/languagesupport/documents/alcohol_celebra.htm The blood alcohol This publication limit for is Learner intended drivers as a guide and only. Provisional The contents drivers do (P1 not and constitute P2) is legal zero. advice A zero and blood should alcohol limit means not if Provisional be relied upon drivers as such. are going Persons to wishing drive they formal need advice to on decide matters not referred to drink to any in this alcohol. publication should consult their solicitors. Many people are booked for drink driving the day after. It is important that young people think about how much alcohol they State drank of NSW, on the Department previous evening of Education and and how Training, long it has Student been Welfare since their Directorate, last drink. 2010If a person goes out drinking and has a big night they may still be over the zero limit the next day. For more information on drug education in NSW government schools refer to If your teenager is planning www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/yrk12focusareas/druged/index.php to drive, remind them that some medicines or mouthwashes contain alcohol (ethanol). Some foodstuffs may also contain alcohol, for example fruitcake, trifle and liqueur chocolates. Consuming large amounts may affect Email their enquiries BAC. to drug.prevention@det.nsw.edu.au Just like alcohol, drugs can affect judgement, concentration and reaction time. NSW Police can now carry out roadside drug testing for illegal drugs. If a preliminary oral fluid test is positive, drivers will have to get out of their vehicle and go with a police officer to provide a second oral fluid sample in the police support vehicle. If the way a person was driving indicates that they are impaired by drugs, including alcohol, or they are involved in a fatal crash, police have the power to take them to a hospital for a blood and urine sample. The sample will be analysed for any drugs including some prescription medicines known to impair driving. For more information about alcohol, drugs and driving and penalties that apply refer to the Roads & Maritime Services website (www.rms.nsw.gov.au).
Some 17 year olds are going to a party and have asked their friend who is 19 years old to buy some alcohol for them. Is this legal? The 19 year old is committing two offences. The first is obtaining alcohol for a person under the age of 18, and the second is supplying alcohol to a person under the age of 18. An on-the-spot fine of $1,100 or a court imposed maximum penalty of $11,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment applies for each offence. I have agreed This to pamphlet host is a produced party as for part my of the 16 NSW year Department old. As of Education part of and this Training s I was going to provide food, End of year alcoholic celebration and strategy non-alcoholic to increase senior secondary drinks. students I am worried knowledge and about awareness providing alcohol but apparently it s at everyone s parties. The information in this pamphlet has been translated into twenty-two community languages Did you know that and in is NSW, available except at www.det.nsw.edu.au/languagesupport/documents/alcohol_celebra.htm in specific limited circumstances, it is illegal to sell or supply alcohol to people under This the publication age of 18? is intended The law as applies a guide anywhere only. The contents and at all do times, not constitute including legal homes, advice halls and and should public places generally. not be relied upon as such. Persons wishing formal advice on matters referred to in this publication should consult their solicitors. As the host of a party where alcohol is supplied, you could be issued with an on-the-spot fine of $1,100 by the police for every minor State that of NSW, you Department serve. You of may Education also be and liable Training, for a court Student penalty Welfare of Directorate, $11,000 and/or 2010 12 months imprisonment for each person under the age of 18 who is supplied with alcohol. An exception to this is where a parent or guardian supplies For more liquor information to their on child drug away education from in licensed NSW government premises. schools You may refer also to have a defence to a prosecution if a parent or www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/yrk12focusareas/druged/index.php guardian has specifically authorised you to supply alcohol to their child, although you would need to be able to prove this in court. Email enquiries to drug.prevention@det.nsw.edu.au The law also makes it illegal for minors to drink alcohol on licensed premises. The minor can receive an on-thespot fine of $220 or the court can impose a maximum penalty of $2,200. A minor must not take delivery of any liquor sold over the telephone or by facsimile or by mail order or through an internet site unless he/she was ordered or requested to do so by his or her parent or guardian. The minor can receive an on-the-spot fine of $220 or the court can impose a maximum penalty of $2,200. However, a person must not order or request a minor to take delivery of liquor sold over the telephone or by facsimile or by mail order or through an internet site. An on-the-spot fine of $330 or a court imposed maximum penalty of $3,300 applies to a person for this offence. For more information about the liquor laws and young people refer to the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing website (www.olgr.nsw.gov.au).
Young people may be asked to prove their age when buying alcohol or tobacco products, or entering licensed venues. Documents that are accepted in NSW to prove a person s age are a current driver s or rider s licence or permit, a current passport, a NSW Photo Card issued by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, or a proof of age card issued by the Commonwealth or an interstate authority. The document must be current and include a photo of the person and date of birth to prove they are over 18. The penalty for using, altering, possessing or lending false identification is a $220 on-the-spot fine or a maximum court imposed penalty of $2,200. Using fake ID may also result in having a provisional licence extended for an extra six months. This pamphlet is produced as part of the NSW Department of Education and Training s End of year celebration strategy to increase senior secondary students knowledge and awareness Useful telephone numbers Alcohol and The Drug information Information in this Service pamphlet (ADIS) has Tel: been (02) translated 9361 8000 into twenty-two Toll free: 1800 community 422 599 languages and is available at www.det.nsw.edu.au/languagesupport/documents/alcohol_celebra.htm The Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) Tel: (02) 9699 3552 This publication is intended as a guide only. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should Family Drug not be Support relied upon Tel: (02) as such. 9818 Persons 6166 wishing Toll free: formal 1300 advice 368 on 186matters referred to in this publication Emergency Tel: 000 should consult their solicitors. Poisons Information State of Centre NSW, Department Tel: 13 11 26 of Education and Training, Student Welfare Directorate, 2010 LawAccess NSW Tel: For 1300 more 888 information 529 on drug education in NSW government schools refer to www.schools.nsw.edu.au/learning/yrk12focusareas/druged/index.php For information in languages other than English contact: Translating and Interpreting Service Email enquiries Tel: 13 14 to 50 drug.prevention@det.nsw.edu.au NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Tel: (02) 9995 0300