By MARLENE MILLOTT
YOUNG people taking part in Schoolies Week celebrations are consuming an average of nearly nine standard drinks per drinking session, according to a study.
School-leavers celebrating are urged to behave and drink responsibly as the study revealed the startling figures.
The Turning Point study found that schoolies were consuming 8.8 standard drinks in a 12-hour period, with males drinking 10 drinks in that time. Of those interviewed, 18.3 per cent recorded a blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.08, with an overall average reading of 0.05.
The research also revealed alarming consequences of the drinking culture, with one in five schoolies experiencing alcohol-related harm. Aggressive incidents and injuries from alcohol-fuelled behaviour increased by five to eight per cent with each drink consumed. Illicit drug use also made schoolies six times more likely to have unprotected sex.
The Turning Point study of schoolies taking part in end of school celebrations was conducted at popular Victorian locations of Lorne and Torquay over two weekends in November 2012. It interviewed over 500 young people.
As schoolies celebrate across the country, Turning Point director and report co-author Professor Dan Lubman warned schoolies to be responsible.
“Schoolies Week often takes place around the time when many young people are reaching the legal age at which they can purchase alcohol or drive unsupervised,” Professor Lubman said.
“However, it is important that young people are aware of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and other drug use.”
Professor Lubman urged young people to make sure they were looking after themselves and their mates during schoolies.
