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  6. Supply of Alcohol to Minors: The Legal, Health and Social Risks
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Supply of Alcohol to Minors: The Legal, Health and Social Risks

Before you supply alcohol to young people (under 18 years) STOP and think about your level of responsibility. Here you will find a few things that you should consider when making a decision about supplying alcohol to young people.

  • It is an offence to supply alcohol to a minor (under 18) in a public place. This includes (but is not limited to) a park or beach. You may be fined $5,500 if you are caught supplying alcohol to under 18's in a public space.

  • It is an offence to supply alcohol to a minor (under 18) on licensed premises. Minors are only permitted in designated areas within licensed premises.

  • If you allow your child to consume alcohol at home and then go out to a party, you should ask yourself how safe he/she is going to be. Are you going to feel responsible if something happens? Remember that the risk of violence, sexual assault and accidents can increase when a person is under the influence of alcohol. Even if your child has not consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, you have no control over the amount of alcohol that others have consumed. Is your child going to be equipped to deal with potentially dangerous situations if their judgement is impaired by alcohol?

  • If you are stopped by a young person and asked to buy alcohol on their behalf, think about how you would feel if something happened to them afterwards. You have a responsibility as an adult to help protect the young people in our community. If you do purchase or supply alcohol for someone under 18 years of age, you could be fined up to $5,500 or (in serious cases) up to $11,000 and/or 12 months in gaol.

  • Under age parties involving alcohol can lead to problems within the community. As young people are learning to physically and psychologically deal with the effects of alcohol, there can be health and social risks. If you supply the alcohol, ask yourself if you then have to shoulder the responsibility if the young person damages property, harasses other members of the community or ends up in a fight.

  • It is possible to overdose from alcohol. Young bodies are not equipped to deal with alcohol and this can result in long-term damage to a young person's organs and mental health. In the short term there is also a real danger of overdose, poisoning and even DEATH.

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