So, a lot of you are doing it a lot of the time which kinda means that maybe it is a problem? It has been in the news and Poli's are forever raving about it. So, at BB HQ we thought we would put the issue to the test and uncover what it actually is and how it is affecting our teens.
Binge drinking is drinking alcohol heavily over a short amount of time or even drinking for multiple days on end. It is a major part of the party-scene and you may acknowledge it as "getting smashed" or drinking to get "drunk".
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on the verge of introducing a $53 million initiative to battle binge drinking. He will introduce a wide-spread media campaign that will increase advertising awareness similar to cigarette ads on TV and drink-driving.
For teens, this will mean it will place greater restrictions on under-age drinking. Sport codes will be forced to abide by a code of conduct law set by the Australian government and there will be greater attention to alcohol and drug use education in schools.
Heavy huh? While our BB crew have all admitted to being around binge drinking and experienced it themselves, we thought we'd put the issue to them to get their input and advice on how it affected them.
Do you binge drink?
No, alcohol makes me feel pretty sick as my liver was damaged when I had Glandular Fever. I very rarely get drunk and it's usually only if I haven't realised the alcohol content of a drink.
What are your views on binge drinking?
"I believe binge drinking is a way for some people to get so blind drunk that they forget their issues. But, the ridiculous thing is that it only lasts one night and then you are left tired, hung over and with all the same issues piled on top of those feelings!
"Apart from being unhelpful, binge drinking is incredibly bad for your health - it can cause serious issues for you liver and can kill cells."
What do you think of the Government's new scare tactic advertising
campaign?
I think it's good to be doing something about it but am not sure how effective a scare tactic campaign will be. I mean the very real and frightening images on cigarette packs don't stop people from smoking.
What do you think should be done to address binge drinking?
I think tighter security on liquor stores so that it's harder for teens to buy alcohol. There should be a better way of testing IDs to determine if they are fake or not.
"Teens seem to believe that binge drinking is the cool thing to do, but throwing up doesn't actually look that groovy, believe it or not. There is such an emphasis on alcohol at parties, as most people seem to think this is the only way to have fun.
Of course alcohol can help you break the ice but it can also make you seem like a complete idiot when you slur your words and say and do things you will regret in the morning"
Do you binge drink?
"No, well I used to more last year but as I'm in year 12 now I haven't been going out to many parties and if I do go out I can do without the hangover the next day."
Why do you think binge drinking is such a huge thing among teens?
"If you go to any big party I would guarantee 3/4 of the people drinking will be binging. Teens know it's harmful but for some reason we do it anyway."
What do you think of the Government's new scare tactic advertising
campaign?
"I think the Government's advertising campaign initiative will work. It will hopefully make some people think twice before drinking and create greater awareness of its effects."
Do you binge drink?
"I don't regularly drink, but I do know some people that use it as their major point of socialising.
Why do you think binge drinking is such a huge thing among teens?
"I think it is a major issue across teens and the age group will become lower if something is not done. The government has it right in getting our attention now!"
I don't think teenagers even relate to drinking as a problem and even identify with the concept binge drinking.
"If we can take notice of what the government is trying to do, the idea of a brighter future will be a reward in itself"
So what do you think? Join our Bellaboo online forums and give us your 2cents!
· It is responsible for 58% of teenage hospital admissions for substance use.
· Binge drinking damages both your mental and physical health.
· It is the onset cause of many fatal illnesses including heart disease, kidney disease and even cancer.
· Alcohol is the most socially accepted and widely used drug in Australia.
· Regular drinking habits may lead to addiction.
· The average drinking age in teens is between 13-19.
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