This newsletter is available on the CAAN website in the Grogwatch Newsletter Archive.

Welcome to the 38th issue for 2006 of GrogWatch—a weekly update of alcohol-related news and views provided by the Community Alcohol Action Network (CAAN). CAAN is an initiative of the Australian Drug Foundation. You are receiving this e-newsletter because you have signed up as a member of CAAN or you are a GrogWatch subscriber. (28 November 2006)


2005 school student alcohol survey published
The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has released the latest statistics on drinking by secondary school students. The figures are based on a 2005 survey of 23000 students aged 12–17 years in 363 government, Catholic and independent schools across Australia.

We can give only the barest overview but a link to the full report is provided below.

Gender differences:
In general drinking was more common among males and males consumed more alcohol than females.

Prevalence:
By age 14 years 90% of secondary school students have tried alcohol and by age 17 years 70% have consumed alcohol in the previous month.
60% of students aged 15 and over drank alcohol in the month preceding the survey and over 40% drank alcohol in the week preceding the survey.

Current drinkers:
19% of students aged 12 years were "current drinkers" compared to 50% of students aged 17 years. A current drinker was classified as having consumed alcohol in the week prior to the survey.

Risky drinking:
20% of all students aged 16–17 years consumed an unsafe amount of alcohol at least once in the week prior to the survey (this equates to 40% of current drinkers aged 16-17 years). This level of drinking implies a degree of intoxication and places the students at risk of a range of harms.

Younger students:
Students aged 12–15 years were less likely to drink alcohol, and drink alcohol less often than their peers in previous years. However, when they do drink alcohol they are more likely to drink at risky levels.

Older students:
No change was reported in the prevalence of drinking and risky drinking among students aged 16–17 years.

Sources of alcohol:
35% of current drinkers were given their last drink by a parent, most usually at home or at a party.
20% of current drinkers had had someone else (e.g. a friend over 18 years) buy their last drink.

Reference:
White V & Hayman J. (2006) Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol in 2005. The Cancer Council Victoria.



Feature Article
2005 school student alcohol survey published
Thinking Drinking II: From Problems to Solutions

A round up of alcohol news

End price wars: Libs
Cheap ‘vodka' poisons thousands of Russians
Binge drinking can be more dangerous for women
Warning on ‘bull rise' hot cocktail
The party generation
US push for drink detectors in cars
Alcohol free zones remain for Parkes, Peak Hill



Save the date ... Monday 26– Wednesday 28 February 2007 for Thinking Drinking II: From Problems to Solutions (Melbourne, Australia)


This conference's predecessor, Thinking Drinking: Achieving Cultural Change by 2020 (February 2005, Melbourne) explained our alcohol problems. Now it's time to turn those problems into solutions.

Thinking Drinking II: From Problems to Solutions will set the agenda for changing problematic drinking cultures in Australasia.

Further information on this conference will be available in the coming weeks. To register your interest, simply email your details to thinking.drinking
@adf.org.au or telephone (03) 9278 8137.

For provisional program see www.adf.org.au



Thinking Drinking II: From Problems to Solutions
Thinking Drinking II: From Problems to Solutions (26–28 February 2007, Melbourne, Australia) is a major meeting for people interested in alcohol issues from a variety of fields including health and welfare, policy, research, law enforcement, local government, community development and education.

Organised by the Australian Drug Foundation and the Community Alcohol Action Network, Thinking Drinking II will focus on how to change attitudes, customs and policies in order to create sustainable change.

The Thinking Drinking II program features plenary sessions with international and national invited speakers and breakout sessions which will enable participants to test and workshop approaches.

Key issues to be discussed include:

• Efforts to change drinking customs

• Models of cultural change

• New and emerging alcohol issues

• Alcohol marketing and supply

• Practical steps for community prevention

• Advocacy issues at local and national levels.

For further information please visit http://www.adf.org.au/; email. thinking.drinking@adf.org.au or tel. (03) 9278 8137.






NOTICES


GrogWatcher Opinion 1

"Sport has provided a loophole for alcohol advertising on TV to gain a G-rating. Once ethanol drug ads (i.e. alcohol) were shown in adult viewing time only (after 9.30pm). Gradually it crept down to 9.00pm, then 8.30pm and they are now seen in daytime when sport is broadcast."
JN, NSW.



A round up of alcohol news
End price wars: Libs
The Bendigo Late Night Venue Group has welcomed a Liberal Party plan to stop alcohol price wars. Opposition police spokesman Kim Wells revealed to the Advertiser this week the Liberal Party would pass legislation making it compulsory for licensed venues to comply with a liquor accord, which would mark the end of promotions that encourage binge drinking.
Bendigo Advertiser, p. 7, 16 November 2006

Cheap ‘vodka' poisons thousands of Russians
After two months of rising alcohol deaths, Russia has declared a state of emergency in several regions. Russian television has broadcast images of yellowing men and women and of desperate rural workers swigging what they believe to be vodka. The crisis has been triggered by counterfeit vodka, which sells for as little as 70 roubles ($A3.40) a bottle.
Sunday Canberra Times, aa p. 23, 19 November 2006

Binge drinking can be more dangerous for women
The consequences of binge drinking are different for young women than for young men, according to a Queensland University of Technology project. Nutrition and dietetics student Cherie Dryden says decision-making is impaired after drinking and, women maybe more prone to sexual abuse, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Courier Mail, p. 35, 20 November 2006

Warning on ‘bull rise' hot cocktail
Schoolies experimenting with a highly toxic cocktail known as a Jagerbomb have been warned they face long term health problems. School-leavers who spoke to The Sunday Mail on Friday night said the potent mix of the Red Bull energy drink and herbal liqueur Jagermeister was the drink of choice at this year's Gold Coast celebrations.
Queensland Sunday Mail, p. 14, 19 November 2006

The party generation
'Schoolies will be off tap," (meaning anything from insane to impressive to under the influence) reads a posting on an online forum this week, "Live for the nights that you'll never remember, with friends you'll never forget!!!!" says another entry. This then is the promise that sustains thousands of year 12 students through those final arduous months of schooling.
Age, Insight p. 2, 18 November 2006

US push for drink detectors in cars
Alcohol detectors may be fitted to all vehicles in the US after it was agreed that the deterrence tactic used against drink-drivers for the past 20 years was no longer working. Mothers Against Drunk Driving, backed by a national association of highway officials and car manufacturers, plans to campaign to change drink-driving laws in 49 states to require that even first offenders be forced to install a device that tests drivers and disables the car if it detects alcohol.
The Age, 21 November 2006

Alcohol free zones remain for Parkes, Peak Hill
Parkes Shire Council is again proposing to re-establish Alcohol Free Zones (AFZ) that are currently in place in both Parkes and Peak Hill. In both towns there strictions have been effective in reducing malicious damage to property, littering, offensive behaviour and offensive language—so often associated with the irresponsible consumption of alcohol.
Parkes Champion Post, p. 3, 17 November 2006






GrogWatcher Opinion 2


"With the amount of alcohol advertising on the sporting field, on goal posts, on the players' uniforms, on the ball, on the fans' clothing, plus the ads broadcast on TV during the game, it seems that Rugby League has now become Drugby League, and football has become Boozeball."
JN, NSW.

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