We must stop playing with fire.
As I continue to lobby government stakeholders in relation to safe teen parties, yet more tragedy unfolds.
Another young life wasted. A death that could have been avoided.
Alcohol-related trauma is one of the biggest issues at teen events. My submission takes a holistic approach to its resolution.
Sadly, it looks like it’s going to take many more deaths (or perhaps the death of a politician’s child?) for any serious legislative change to take place.
At the very least, we can introduce an amendment to the Victorian Government’s new Secondary Supply Legislation.
For instance, if we could:
- include bring your own (BYO) alcohol;
- underline the duty of care of hosts; and
- stress the responsible serving of alcohol,
I’m certain this would dramatically reduce the carnage we see each weekend.
Most of the parties I’ve planned and managed over the years are BYO events. The breakdown of alcohol brought into venues (chiefly homes and halls) is as follows:
- 40% pre-mixed (either commercially packaged booze or home-made hooch like cider bombs).
- 30% beer and wine (bottle and cask).
- 30% energy drinks (either mixed with grog or on their own).
My staff and I manage energy drinks the same as alcohol because we’ve witnessed first-hand how they can dramatically change people and even risk life.
We ensure that all drinks brought into an event are labelled and managed correctly by responsible adults.
That’s the proper execution of the duty of care parents have to kids coming to a party they’ve organised.
Anything less is a recipe for chaos, property damage, personal injury, expensive litigation … and death.
Naomi Oakley, Founder, Safe Partying Australia.
