Otago Polytechnic Students' Assoc.

Media Release
Attn: Political Reporters

Blanket Raising of Drinking Age will Create Harm

"While there is a good case to raise the age of selling off-licence alcohol to 20 year olds, this is not so for on-licence consumption." Said OPSA co-president, Natalie Absalom said today.

"The bill to raising the drinking age of both on and off-licences is well intentioned, but in its current form will lead to increased harm for young people"

"Irrespective of the law young people are going to drink, this is a reality. We'd far rather young people were drinking in supervised areas under control of the law than in parks, cars, garages, in the back streets, or at uncontrolled premises."

"The proposed law to increase age of purchase at both on and off-licence premises is flawed, and is guaranteed to see increases in the number of young people drinking in unsavoury situations and the resultant problems"

"It is safe to predict increased rates of hospitalisation, violence, rape, and unplanned pregnancies, in the 18 to 19 year old age group if this bill proceeds in its current form and under 20s are forced to drink in dubious circumstances"

"To avoid this predictable harm to young people OPSA urges politicians to amend bill to apply to off-licence alcohol sales only."

Ends

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