NSW had the highest alcohol-attributable
death (147) and hospitalisation (1,203) rates for 14 to 17 years-olds in the
ten years to 2002 a Curtin
University study showed.
Mark McPherson said the current education system does not adequately provide
teenagers with the life skills they need to act in alcohol-affected
environments.
“Rather than laying down the law and
telling these kids not to drink, we should be teaching these kids personal
skills about keeping their alcohol consumption to moderate and manageable
levels, which in some cases should be zero,’’ he said. The new draft low-risk
drinking guidelines issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council
this month say that the safest option for adolescents aged 15-17 years is to
not drink at all.
“That’s a responsible thing to do but it’s
hardly in line with reality,’’ Mark said. “We
should be teaching teenagers how to drink responsibly, still look cool
and avoid high risk activities such as arguing, unsafe sex, and being a
passenger with a drunk driver.”
Mark McPherson’s new guide Party Without
Pain offers teachers a ten-step guide to empower teenagers to develop personal
and realistic strategies they can apply in real life situations. The guide
prefers teenagers to start with diplomacy rather than jump straight to
assertiveness, to embrace real-life edgy situations and to drink moderately
without “losing face” in front of their friends. If you are interested in
buying a copy of Mark’s book give him a ring on 0403 914 835.
Source: South Sydney
Herald November 2007 www.southsydneyherald.com.au