Alcohol And Drugs Do Mix -All suppliers must be held accountable
Statement made by Vesta Boswell, Executive Director, Parents Resource Institute for Youth Drug Education (PRYDE Hugs Not
Drugs)
Alcohol and drugs do mix-at least in the media coverage of increasing drug and alcohol abuse among New Zealand's youth.
This problem is escalating to levels seldom seen before and legislators, parents and the community must put an end to
it.
It is not just the hospitality industry, but also parents and other adults who are supplying the greater amount of
alcohol to children, and all need to be held accountable for the supply of liquor to minors.
With increases of binge drinking, and the growing number of alcohol related youth crimes (such as the murder of Kenneth
Pigott), the only sensible answer that can be given is to not only go back to 20 as the drinking age but to also
introduce penalties for other suppliers.
Organisations including PRYDE, who have the necessary experience and expertise in this field and are in the business of
caring for our youth, have long set the alarm bells ringing on this issue. At best we were ignored and at worst we were
classed as behind the times. Now we are facing an issue that will not go away until we address it.
Not if, but when, a young person is involved in any illegal activity that is alcohol related, the person who supplied
the alcohol who ever that may be, should be in court along side that young person and also be made accountable.
Who will be held accountable as the problem escalates? It must not only be the responsibility of our youth and the
hospitality industry, but of our legislators, parents and the community to solve this horrendous problem.
About PRYDE
PRYDE aims to involve the direct participation of parents working towards a safer drug free environment for the young
people of New Zealand by: * Establishing, co-ordinating and resourcing parent networks throughout New Zealand. *
Producing printed material about drugs, their effects and potential risks. * Developing strategies and resources by
parents for parents. * Providing education, research and resources to the community to help young people make healthy
life style choices. * Encouraging, promoting and supporting drug prevention programmes in schools, communities and
maraes. * Supporting and enhancing other agencies that have drug abuse prevention as their aim. * To inform, educate
and challenge policies via political/debate/lobby legislation to achieve incorporation into all parties. * Through
media and profiling, inform, challenge, and educate on current issues concerning Alcohol and other drug abuse in New
Zealand Communities.
PRYDE History PRYDE was founded in 1988 by a group of parents concerned with the rising trend of drug abuse by young
people and the desire of those parents to seek solution by collective action. PRYDE is set up and formally registered as
a national not-for-profit community trust to promote drug-free youth with a primary prevention focus.
PRYDE Affiliates * The New Zealand delegate for Drug-watch International. * An affiliated member of the
PRIDE Family of Nations USA. * An active member of New Zealand's Drug Abuse Prevention Alliance (D.A.P.A) PRYDE
receives regular reports on drug abuse research and trends. Such information is incorporated into PRYDE Hugs not Drugs
publications.
Hugs Not Drugs Promotion and "Warm Fuzzie Day"
Hugs Not Drugs Promotion and "Warm Fuzzie Day" is held annually in October to raise the profile of and acknowledge young
New Zealander who are making healthy lifestyle choices.
Check our website for further details: http://www.prydehugsnotdrugs.org.nz