This month on Drink Tank: young people and alcohol

This month on Drink Tank we will explore the topic of young people and alcohol. Each week we’ll feature guests posts from young people, researchers, parents, and representatives from organisations that work with young people to gain an insight into:

• social norms around young people and drinking;
• young people’s personal experiences with and perceptions of alcohol;
• the role of parents in affecting young people’s relationships with alcohol; and
• why young people don’t need alcohol to have fun.

Today, Professor Sandra Jones from the Centre for Health Initiatives discusses social norms and how teenagers, parents, schools, council, police, health services, media, community groups and individuals can work together to build a community where it is ok for teenagers not to drink. While the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education’s Communications Manager, Joanna Allebone shares a personal account of the best night of her life as a 14 year-old.

To coincide with the young people and alcohol special this month, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) is running a campaign called “Best Night of My Life”.  FARE is the Official On-Screen Partner for the One Direction ‘Take Me Home’ Australian Tour for the concert dates: 5th, 6th, 16th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 29th & 30th October 2013.

As part of its campaign, FARE is inviting people to tell the story of the best alcohol-free night of their lives. Visit www.fare.org.au for more information.

Original photography by Fiona McKinlay