Underage drinkers in outer growth areas like Melton are more likely to get alcohol from family and friends than buy it themselves, according to new research by Turning Point alcohol and drug centre.
A report released last week also found young people in outer suburbs were more likely than their inner city counterparts to drink at parties than in licensed venues.
Binge drinking was widespread among young people across the board, with about
40 per cent of those surveyed admitting they had consumed 20 or more standard drinks in a session in the past year.
Melton resident Bruce Clark said parents needed to know the health risks of giving alcohol to minors. His son Leigh, 15, died from alcohol poisoning in 1999 after he was given imitation vodka essence.
Mr Clark said he couldn’t understand why adults would supply copious amounts of alcohol to underage teens.
“Don’t give an underage teenager a six-pack and send him off to someone’s 15th birthday party.
“If it’s at home at a family barbecue and parents want to give their teenager one can of beer, and everyone is keeping an eye on him, then there’s no problem.
“If they do it there’s got to be adequate supervision.”
Mr Clark’s son Leigh was visibly intoxicated after 30 minutes of drinking. He collapsed and died while walking home.
The Turning Point study found that while young people in areas like Melton were more “conservative” than those in the inner suburbs, 66 per cent still believed drinking was “one of the pleasures of life”. The study compared the attitudes towards alcohol of people aged 16 to 24 from inner Melbourne with those in outer areas including Melton, Wyndham, Casey, Cardinia, Whittlesea and Mitchell.
Researcher Dr Sarah MacLean called for the creation of strategies to deal with drinking patterns. She also said a “cautious approach” was needed to liquor outlet density planning.
