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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-11-15 Daily Xml
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SCHOOLIES WEEK

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (15:09): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse a question about schoolies.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: November is the time of year many year 12 students complete their high school education. It is now something of a tradition for young people to head to Victor Harbor for the schoolies festival to celebrate.

The Hon. R.I. Lucas interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I am sure that the Hon Mr Lucas will be joining them. Will the minister inform the council of measures being taken—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: I apologise, Mr President. I lost my train of thought at that horrible idea. Will the minister inform the council of the measures being taken to ensure the health and safety of our young people who attend the festival?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (15:10): As the honourable member mentions, it is indeed time for many South Australian year 12 students to celebrate the end of their high school education. A number of these students will head off to Victor Harbor to celebrate the three days of the schoolies festival. I extend my congratulations to all our students, and I hope that they have a fantastic time.

It is an opportune time to point out some of the potentially more serious issues for students who may attend the schoolies celebrations. I do not want to rain on their parade, of course, but some risks can be quite easily overcome. Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA), along with other government agencies, such as SAPOL, the Department of Education and Children's Services, SHine SA, and the Office for the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner, has had a key role in the preparations leading up to this festival.

Emergency services will be operational at the festival to deal with any medical issues. I am also pleased to inform the council that a variety of alcohol-free activities and barbecues have been planned for each day of the festival. Health Services will also have a presence and will be on site to meet with young people to provide them with information, free food, sunscreen and bottles of water.

The government is committed to working with a variety of services, such as the Red Cross, St Johns and SA Ambulance, who will be on site at the festival and in caravan parks, where large numbers of young people stay during the festival. They are there to ensure that young people are safe and can obtain help should they need it. As members may know, excessive alcohol consumption remains the most significant factor impacting on individual and community health and safety during this event.

Parents can educate their teenagers about the dangers of binge drinking and the likely effects of excessive alcohol consumption on their health and wellbeing and particularly their personal safety. Parents can also provide transport for their teenager and their friends. Obviously, the message is: do not get into a car with a person who is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

The government has also had a role in promoting knowledge about the dangers of substance abuse. For example, it is important to consider the issue of drink spiking. With my colleague in the other place, we launched an awareness campaign involving the dangers of drink spiking, and coasters, drink umbrellas, colourful whistles and so on, featuring an anti drink spiking message, will be visible and widely available at the schoolies festival. We want all young people to beware of the possibility and to keep the safety of themselves and their friends at the forefront of their mind. The message is: look after yourself and keep a close eye on your mates.

Again, I congratulate our year 12 students, and I encourage all young people who attend the festival to make safety and health a priority. Let us remember that safe partying and looking out for friends should be the priority for our 10,000 young people who may take part in the Schoolies Week celebrations at Victor Harbor this month. Most of all, I say to our students: have a fantastic time. You have earned it and deserve to celebrate your achievements.

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