Last call for parents who supply teens with booze

Parents supplying their teens with alcohol are not only fuelling underage drinking but are increasing the risk that their children and their children's friends will drink heavily. Australia-first research led by Dr Gary Chan from The University of Queensland's Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research has found parents who supply alcohol to their children create a flow-on effect. "We found adolescents living in regions where parental supply of alcohol was high were more likely to engage in heavy drinking, regardless if they obtained alcohol from their own parent," Dr Chan said. "Parents need to be aware that by providing alcohol to their children, they are not only encouraging their son or daughter's heavy drinking, but their children's peer group as well. "Teens are likely to share alcohol they receive from their parents with their friends. "In communities where parental supply is common, adolescents may also have a heightened perception that alcohol is easily available and underage drinking is socially endorsed." The researchers found parental supply of alcohol in general was higher in regional and rural areas than in cities. The health risks outlined by the NHMRC alcohol guidelines include that heavy drinking can increase risky sexual behaviour, adversely affect brain development, and elevate the risk of poor mental health and death from unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide.