Ohariu based National list MP Katrina Shanks welcomes the introduction of the Government's bill which targets alcohol-related harm and, in particular, youth drinking.

“This is the first step to tackling New Zealand’s binge drinking culture and zeroing in on the harm,” Mrs Shanks says.

“A couple of months ago I went out with the local policemen in Wellington and saw first-hand what was happening on our streets on a Friday night.

“It was scary to see how young and how drunk some of the patrons were.

“We know that young people suffer a disproportionately high rate of alcohol-related harm so if we are to achieve a culture change, we need to start from the ground up.”

Since the Law Commission released its report Mrs Shanks has been visiting students in classrooms around Ohariu.

“After what I saw in town I wanted to talk to teens and ask them what they think the Government can do to help address the issues.

“As I went around the classrooms an overwhelming majority of students felt they were not educated enough on the harms of alcohol, how to recognise someone in trouble and how to deal with that person.

“What many of them didn’t realise was that when you drink until you vomit it is because you have poisoned your body and your body is trying to get rid of the alcohol.

“I will be taking the students views back to caucus and I have encouraged the classrooms I visited to make their voices heard by making a submission to the select committee.

"This package is merely Parliament's starting point for reform, and we'll be listening carefully to the public through the select committee process."

It is hoped the bill will be sent to the Justice and Electoral Select Committee before the end of the year and passed into law before the end of this parliamentary term.

ENDS

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