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The Alcohol Drug Helpline has launched a new youth12-24 years of age. service offering young people a safe and easily accessible way to talk about their alcohol and other drug use.

The Helpline youth service offers free confidential information, advice and support for anyone with a concern or query about their own or someone else’s alcohol and other drug use.

“Young people have the choice of using a new texting service or contacting the Helpline by phone or on-line chat,” said Paul Rout, CEO of the Alcohol Drug Association New Zealand (ADANZ).

Guidelines to reduce opportunities for crime and anti social behaviour both in and around licensed premises and enhance the safety of customers and staff as well as the security of the buildings and facilities have just been released.

Developed by the former Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (ALAC) which is now part of the new entity the Health Promotion Agency (HPA), the guidelines are for those involved in the design, development and refurbishment of licensed premises.

Inspirational champions making a change in the drinking culture in their communities were showcased at the launch of a Māori community resource in Wellington today (Thursday June 14 2012).

‘TAIHOA – Ease up on the drink’ has been developed by the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand – Kaunihera Whakatūpato Waipiro o Aotearoa – to engage and support Māori to make positive choices around alcohol use.

The Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) has welcomed initiatives by the Wellington rugby Sevens’ organisers to encourage fans to arrive at the event sober.

“They are trying to reduce the amount people are drinking before they get there - the intent is good,” says ALAC acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Hearn.

The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and the Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) are reminding people to take care to avoid alcohol-related injury and harm this holiday season.

Last year ACC received over 50,000 claims from people injured during the Christmas holidays, with over 11,000 injuries resulting from falls in the home. The total cost of all these injuries to date is over $32 million.

The Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) has welcomed the report back of the Government’s Alcohol Reform Bill.

The Bill, which was reported back to Parliament today from the Justice and Electoral select committee, follows the Law Commission’s extensive review of New Zealand’s liquor laws and a lengthy select committee process in which the committee sat for over 90 hours and dealt with many thousands of submissions.

The Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) has welcomed the alcohol industry's recognition that consumer information messages should be placed on alcohol products.

New Zealand brewer Lion Nathan announced today that it is planning to introduce health warnings on its drinks. This follows a similar move announced yesterday by DrinkWise Australia which said its members would put consumer information messages on its products. DrinkWise said the voluntary move would see 80 percent of alcoholic drinks in Australia labelled with the warnings.

Emergency departments like other front line emergency staff are carrying the burden for the way we as a country drink, says the Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC).

Research conducted at Wellington Hospital and published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today, looked at how drunks affect staff and other patients and found a ‘significant’ negative impact on the workload and safety of staff.

ALAC Chief Executive Officer Gerard Vaughan said the research results were likely to be replicated at other emergency departments round the country.

The Alcohol Advisory Council (ALAC) has welcomed the crackdown by Police on large scale ticketed school after balls.

ALAC Chief Executive Officer Gerard Vaughan said many students attending after ball parties were under 18. “While the Sale of Liquor Act allows under 18s to drink alcohol at a private social gathering usually a private home or family gathering, it does not allow minors to be served alcohol at events such as these commercially run after balls where students purchase tickets which cover the cost of the alcohol,” he said.