'Every week in Australia, one teenager
between the ages of 14 and 17 dies as a result of alcohol abuse. Rates of
drinking at harmful levels among 12-17 year olds have doubled in the past two
decades. One in twenty 12-15 year olds engages in regular binge drinking, one
in four 16-17 year olds and almost one in two 18-19 year olds. One in two
Australian teenagers who get drunk do something they regret. The alcohol
problem costs our country $7 billion a year.
The statistics are alarming. But they are
turning around. The latest research reveals a remarkable trend: for the first
time in decades, rates of underage alcohol abuse are on the decline. Years of
work are paying off. The initiatives are working.
Every year across Australia, teams of
thousands of organised volunteers are active day and night in schoolies weeks,
university o-week parties, camps, music festivals and sporting events, actively
looking out for young people, encouraging them to be responsible and picking up
the pieces when they’re not. Habits are changing. Young lives are being saved.
In hundreds of schools across Australia
every year, experts are presenting the truth about the dangers of underage
alcohol abuse to thousands of teenagers and their parents.
The urgency of this vital work is rising,
and more and more volunteers are stepping forward to the front line.
Organisations like Red Frogs and Scripture Union are expanding their programs.
More resources are needed to train and
resource these and other such important operations.
In May 2011, wine writer Tyson Stelzer
approached Red Frogs CEO Andy Gourley and Scripture Union CEO Peter James with
an ambitious proposal to raise significant funds to resource this crucial work
across Australia. Three-and-a-half years of complex legal and financial work
later, Teen Rescue Foundation Limited is officially ready to resource the work
of combating teen alcohol abuse in Australia.'
Matthew Jukes: Tweet' Whatever you do today make sure you look at @TysonStelzer new initiative on teen alcohol abuse - incredible work. http://teenrescuefoundation.org.au'
Do please do take a look and show your support by joining – it's free. Then spread the word.
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