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Experts warn of dangers from alcohol abuse

Katelyn Booth, Weekend CourierWeekend Kwinana Courier

Thousands of high school graduates will flock to hot spots across the State this weekend, with leavers celebrations officially starting Monday, November 25.

McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth director Mike Daube said WA research showed many leavers were drinking at ‘scary levels’.

He told the Courier teenagers were at a high risk of hurting themselves and others during celebrations by drinking copious amounts of alcohol.

‘We have developed a two-tier drinking culture in WA; more young people are being sensible about alcohol but those who drink are drinking younger and more harmfully,’ he said.

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‘We know that many young people get alcohol from their parents and some even seem to think it’s a good idea to send them off to leavers with alcohol and that’s exactly the wrong thing to do. It will also be important that alcohol outlets and others do not provide alcohol to people under 18.’

Mr Daube said it was ‘unfortunate’ that leavers had created a high expectation for young people to go out and drink alcohol.

Police are expecting thousands of school graduates to flood ‘Leavers Zones’ in Dunsborough and Rottnest.