The Plan … a new initiative to help parents to delay teen drinking

The Plan … a new initiative to help parents to delay teen drinking

School’s out and the Christmas party season is upon us, followed closely by the summer party season. This can mean increased opportunities for teens to drink … but having a plan can help.

The Plan is a new initiative being rolled out in Invercargill helping parents to delay drinking and reduce alcohol related risk to their teens. It encourages and supports parents to ‘make a plan and stick with it’ – and provides information on parents’ legal responsibilities and the importance of express consent.

“The younger a person starts drinking alcohol, the more likely it is that they will go on to drink harmfully in their late teens and adult life,” says Bridget Rodgers, WellSouth Health Promotion Specialist.

“While hazardous drinking is declining in young people, data from the emergency department at Southland Hospital indicates that risky drinking behaviours, such as binge drinking, are still an alarming part of our community’s culture, especially among youth.”

After its Invercargill pilot, The Plan will be rolled out across the Southern region in the new year. It is a joint initiative led by WellSouth and Public Health South (SDHB) and supported by ILT, police and James Hargest College.

Resources are being distributed through bottle stores and will also be promoted via social media and in the media.

Resources for parents are available from selected bottle-stores in Invercargill or from www.nosafelimit.co.nz

The Plan Invercargill is based on the Nelson project with the same name and is funded and supported by the Health Promotion Agency.
For more information contact the Health Promotion Team health.promotion@wellsouth.org.nz