YOUNG people are being urged not to engage in risky drinking games, such as Neknominate, this Australia Day.
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DrinkWise Australia chief executive John Scott said it was important not to binge drink this Australia Day.
“Australia Day should be a time of celebration and reflection and, above all, it should instil a sense of
belonging and community for the nation as a whole,” he said.
“What we are seeing both in the media and through health statistics is a substantial binge drinking culture among people aged 18-24 and one that is having serious and significant impact on the safety, health and wellbeing of our young adults.
“Promotions encouraging irresponsible drinking practices and rituals including drinking games as a part of an Australia Day ritual need to be called out as working against a safer drinking culture.
“DrinkWise Australia is a not-for-profit social change organisation dedicated to promoting a healthier and
safer drinking culture in Australia.
"As the CEO of DrinkWise, it concerns me to see some recent promotions encouraging binge drinking particularly as our organisation is focused on educating young people about the dangers of drinking at risky levels.”
DrinkWise aims to support positive generational change in the way Australians consume alcohol.
In order to achieve generational and cultural change a range of factors must work together, Mr Scott says.
"A whole of community approach is needed to draw on partnerships between government, industry and the community as this will have the greatest impact in changing Australia’s drinking culture," he said.