ENERGY DRINKS-Enough To Pop a Valve

Energy drinks: In addition to managing alcohol at private parties we also apply the same management system to energy drinks.  When energy drinks hit the party scene we observed the behaviour of young adults within the party environment at a number of parties.  After observing at least 30 teen parties where energy drinks were brought…

They can see your home from here …

Can you see your home in this screenshot? Don’t worry if you can’t; gatecrashers can easily get a bird’s-eye view just for you. And if your property has any weaknesses, they’ll even show up in person. A new craze Teens now take mobile-phone screenshots of proposed party venues and send them via the internet to…

A New Year of living dangerously?

Here’s a spot check of how Australians rang in the New Year. New South Wales Young woman attacked while walking home alone. Teen king hit in Kings Cross. Western Australia Young man killed at party. Partygoers overdose at event. Victoria Melbourne gardens trashed by illegal gathering. Queensland 16 year old stabbed in stomach at house…

How to have a Happy New Year

When panicked parents ring days before a party, wanting my help, I assume they’re willing to follow my expert recommendations. This does not mean you can: Put your child in charge of an event. Pick and choose the recommendations you want (e.g. ditch my alcohol management plan and let kids come and go as they…

Toddler or teen?

Life skills Most teens are keen to experience adult life and be treated with respect. This is a natural part of growing up, but it’s a two-way deal. For it to work, teenagers must give a bit; they can’t just take, take and take. We’re not talking sheep stations here. I’m just saying that with…

Absinthe friend

Everything old is new again Remember absinthe? The stuff that drove addicts ‘mad’ and was banned for a century? Well, it’s coming to a teen party near you. While absinthe’s psychoactive perils may have been overplayed, any drink that packs up to 74% alcohol by volume is not for kids. Absinthe is ferociously potent for…

Death race 2013

Mighty quest For two years I’ve been campaigning nationally for legislative change in relation to teen parties. As the recent spate of party-related damage, injury and death clearly shows, we need solutions more than ever. Litany of loss On Wednesday, a young man home alone decided to throw this highly destructive party. On Thursday, a…

000 No!

I have enormous respect for police. I used to be one. But it’s increasingly obvious they just don’t have the resources to cope with exploding demands on their services. Here’s the latest case in point. Road rage A Saturday night ‘after-party’ in Melbourne’s outer east proved very difficult. The party home had no front fence and was…