Young people stepping up to have conversations around alcohol

Thousands of young people throughout New Zealand are having a conversation about alcohol as part of Youth Week which began last Saturday (May 22).

“Conversations are being held in schools, within families and within communities as more than 50 groups adopt alcohol-related themes for their Youth Week activities,” says Sarah Helm, National Manager Youth Action Plan, for the Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC).

“Young people are significantly harmed by alcohol – both as drinkers, and through experiencing the fall-out from other people’s drinking – and we really encourage young people to speak out and lead a change around alcohol in New Zealand,” she said.

“Events range from young people laying a hangi for their whanau in Kaitaia and then performing a skit to show their family the impact of alcohol on their lives to a debate in Christchurch on possible alcohol law changes,” she said.
ALAC is one of the sponsors of Youth Week and is delighted to see young people stepping up and initiating discussions about the role of alcohol in their lives.

“Youth Week provides young people a platform to engage with their communities. Over 50 events throughout the country will allow young people to creatively address the negative impacts of alcohol on their lives and the lives of the people they care about,” she said.

“This shows that young people can be a positive force for improving the health and wellbeing of their communities.

“Alcohol is an issue for all New Zealanders, not just young people. Young people are better off when families and society create a healthy environment with a responsible approach to alcohol.”