One in five Maitland teenagers in the 16 to 17 years age group consume enough alcohol to put their lives and health at risk, according to figures from Hunter Life Education.
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“About 20 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds in the Maitland area drink alcohol to risky levels,” Hunter Life Education director Matthew Chantrey said.
“Further to this, the proportion of 12- to 15-year-olds consuming alcohol at risky levels has doubled since 1990.”
The startling statistics have been released as part of the Ocsober initiative, an annual event that encourages people to give up the booze for the entire month of October to raise money for Life Education.
More importantly, the event tackles social issues and this year the focus is on teenage drinking culture.
“Australia has a big boozy culture,” Mr Chantrey said.
“People need to be mindful of how they treat alcohol and how they drink around young people, because young people base their behaviours on their parents’ behaviour.”
About 60 teenagers each week nationwide are admitted to hospital for drinking an excessive level of alcohol.
In Maitland, alcohol tops the list of drug-related death and hospitalisation in the 15- to 34-year-old age bracket.
“Not only are people putting their health at risk, but alcohol also has social impacts,” Mr Chantrey said.
“One in two assaults in the Hunter is alcohol fuelled and, with domestic violence in the spotlight at the moment, this is an important issue.”
Hunter Life Education encourages parents and adults to respect the role they play in shaping young people’s ideas of alcohol consumption.
Small changes, such as never asking a child to grab a beer from the fridge, can help young people to have a healthier attitude toward drinking.
“Small acts like a celebratory beer normalise alcohol for young people,” Mr Chantrey said.
“We ask people to foster a safe and responsible attitude to alcohol, especially within their household.”
Ocsober begins on Thursday and residents are encouraged to take the pledge to abstain from alcohol for the month of October.
Participants collect money from sponsors and all the funds raised in the Hunter stay in the region.
Just $109 will subsidise 10 children from a disadvantaged school to access Life Education programs for the first time.
Life Education provides programs on food and nutrition, personal safety, physical activity, cyber safety and Healthy Harold school visits.
To register and take a pledge, visit www.ocsober.com.au.
