Secondary Supply: Alcohol and Young People

10 November 2011

Sarah JaggardProject Officer – Secondary Supply Campaign

Secondary supply – what is it?

The provision of alcohol to people under the age of 18, usually by an adult person who is not employed to sell alcohol

2008 Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug SurveyThe three most common non-retail sources of alcohol:• Parents (45%)• Friends (21%)• Getting someone else to buy it (13%)

The most common places for 15 – 17 year old students todrink alcohol are: • at their home (33%)• at a party (31%) • at a friend’s home (16%)

Why is secondary supply an issue?

For people under 18 years:

• Best to delay drinking as long as possible for 15-

17 year olds

• Do not drink any alcohol below 15 years

National Health & Medical Research Council Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol, 2009

Leigh Clark, 1999

Taylor Forward, 2005

We have legislation in…

• New South Wales• Queensland• Tasmania

and…

Victoria - Liquor Control Reform Amendment Bill 2011

The law now requires adults supplying alcohol to a minor in their home to have the consent of the minor’s parent or guardian.

A person who supplies alcohol to a minor without a parent’s consent could face a fine of more than $7000.

Consent

• May be verbal or written• Person supplying alcohol must be

confident that permission has been provided

• The onus will be on the person supplying the alcohol to demonstrate that they have obtained consent

Enforcement

• Serious instances rather than minor breaches

• Police can charge an offender or issue a penalty notice

• Maximum fine > $7000• On the spot fine $733

Secondary supply of alcohol: Communications and education project

• Funded by the Department of Health• Managed by VicHealth

Awareness and education campaign

Raising awareness:

• Advertising campaign Oct’11 – Feb’12• Website and social media

www.vichealth.vic.org.au/teendrinkinglaw• Online Q&A and discussion forum• Podcasts• Resources

Awareness and education campaign

Education:

• Webinars• Community forums• Facilitator’s toolkit and training sessions

Sarah JaggardProject Officer – Secondary Supply Campaign

Australian Drug Foundation

sarah.jaggard@adf.org.au or

03 9278 8114