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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Here’s a lovely article that I read with interest, then dismay: Drunk callouts swamp ambos. Did you know that Western Australia’s stretched ambulance crews are treating ten drunks a day?! I find this and other figures sobering. What a pity other people don’t! Lie of the land In WA, more than seven teenagers a week…
Swimming at my local outdoor pool, I heard two lifeguards discussing the previous day’s events (when the temperature topped 35 degrees Celsius). I thought a lifeguard’s role was to watch the water and keep people safe. Alas, it now seems the job description has changed. New breed As a teenager, few things beat hanging with…
Kids. They grow up so fast! Like to know how fast? A 24-year-old drives his kid brother to a girl’s twelfth birthday. The party’s in the well-heeled Melbourne suburb of Brighton. When the man returns to collect his brother several hours later, he sees pre-teens (i.e. children) staggering round the front yard, vomiting profusely on…