Fed: Young people warned to keep NYE drinking under control

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2003
Fed: Young people warned to keep NYE drinking under control

SYDNEY, Dec 31 AAP - Doctors today warned young people to keep their New Year's Eve
alcohol consumption under control after a report found some girls as young as 12 were
drinking more than eight so-called alcopops a night.

Alcopops are sweet pre-mixed alcoholic drinks.

The Australian Divisions of General Practice (ADGP) today released the results of a
report investigating the drinking patterns of young Australians aged 12-21.

It found evidence of a possible relationship between alcopops and teenage binge drinking.

ADGP chair Rob Walters today said all New Year's Eve revellers were well advised to
keep alcohol consumption at a moderate level, but young drinkers were particularly at
risk.

"The ADGP study has revealed that more than half of all 12-21 year olds surveyed reported
getting drunk at least once a month and 22 per cent said they had been drunk four or more
times in the past month," Dr Walters said in a statement.

The survey suggested that alcopops were the most popular alcoholic drink among young
people, with 75 per cent of people surveyed reporting drinking an alcopop at least once
a week.

"Alcopops are most popular among the 12 to 14-year-old age group and more popular with
girls than boys," Dr Walters said.

He said a high level of alcopop consumption by very young girls was particularly concerning.

"Some 12 and 13-year-old girls (are) reporting drinking eight or more alcopops a night,
(which is) the equivalent of about 12 or more nips of whisky or six glasses of wine."

AAP smb/cbs/de

KEYWORD: EVE DRINKING

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