Curbing kids’ drinking is your call

BY PEACH EMMETT

On any given day there are 390 young people in custody, according to figures released from the Department of Juvenile Justice Research, Planning and Evaluation.

The Department’s database reports that this number has risen considerably since 2004.

A new program dubbed Your Call will be launched by The Ted Noffs Foundation in conjunction with the NSW Police, with the aim of providing alternate pathways for young people whose drinking gets them into trouble with the law.

The program will be the first of its kind in Australia.

‘We feel the local community is in great need of this kind of service and its support. It’s also very effective,’ says Rupert Noffs, development manager at the Ted Noffs Foundation.

Kings Cross Police youth liaison Senior Constable Luke Geradts says alcohol misuse is a big problem, particularly in Woolloomooloo.

He believes the project will serve the community well.

‘It would be beneficial to the area, although I think it would be quite a lot more effective to run the service across the wider City area,’ Mr Geradts said.

Research released this year highlights the need for a response to help youngsters at risk.

possible, families need to be considered,’ the ANCD states.

Additionally, the National Centre for Education Training in Addiction reported that between 1990 and 2005 the unhealthy consumption of alcohol by young people aged 12-15 almost doubled, with approximately 50 per cent of both males and females becoming drinkers by the age of 18.