Concern at binge drinking
Mount Gambier police Superintendent Trevor Twilley has expressed his concern about youth drinking in Mount Gambier.
“Whilst underage drinking is not unique to just the South East, it is a concern to the police and should be a concern to the community,” Supt Twilley said.
“Also of concern are those who choose to drink excessively and disrupt the peace and comfort of community members, something that the community should not tolerate and something the police will not tolerate.”
Supt Twilley said South East police had an “extremely good working relationship” with stakeholders including pub and club licensees, council and security.
“(We are) employing a number of strategies to reduce and or minimise the impact on the community from these quality-of-life crimes,” he said.
Supt Twilley said he was disappointed with the willingness of some parents to allow their children to drink in excess.
According to the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) alcohol can cause permanent brain damage as different parts of the brain develop at different rates as we grow.
The pre-frontal cortex, which houses the part of the brain that controls rational thinking, does not begin to mature until the age of 19 and only fully matures by around the age of 21 in women and the age of 28 in men.
Damage to the pre-frontal cortex during its development can have lifelong consequences for the young person’s memory, personality and behaviour, according to the ADF.
Border Watch
<< Home