DrinkWise delaying the teenage drinking age

SUSIE O’NEILL TO LAUNCH AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO DELAY TEENAGE INITIATION TO ALCOHOL

Following the success of KIDS ABSORB YOUR DRINKING, DrinkWise Australia will unveil the second phase of its social change campaign, aimed at delaying the age at which teenagers first drink alcohol.

This innovative, evidence-based campaign is founded on new scientific information about the harmful effects of alcohol consumption on the developing adolescent brain and provides expert advice to help parents of pre-teens and teens to take affirmative action.

The multi-faceted campaign, which includes a new television commercial and outdoor advertising, will be officially launched by Olympic dual gold medallist swimmer and mother of two, Susie O’Neill.

Professor Ian Hickie of the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney will present the new brain science to support a delayed introduction to alcohol consumption by teenagers.

A panel of experts including well-known psychologist, Deidre Anderson of Macquarie University Sport & Recreation, and Dr. Matthew O’Meara, Head of the Emergency Department at Sydney Children’s Hospital, will talk about the misconceptions around drinking as a rite of passage and the short and long-term risks of drinking too early.

www.drinkwise.com.au