Editorial: Time for action on teen drinking

The problems surrounding teenage drinking have been debated for years but it is time the talking stops and action is taken.
So often the media, including this newspaper, reports on the devastation caused by excessive teen drinking.
Two weeks ago King's College student David Gaynor died following the school's ball. The 17-year-old was placed in a "withdrawal room" for intoxicated students before his father was called to collect him early from the event.
That same weekend police shut down an out of control party at Tauranga Racecourse and 12 teenagers were arrested.
About 480 tickets to the alcohol-free event were sold at $10 each - but more than 600 young people turned up. Things went wrong quickly and very early in the night police were catching 15 and 16-year-olds with alcohol outside the venue.
All the precautions were taken - including hiring 10 security guards and bag checks on arrival - but none of this can prevent partygoers from drinking before or outside events, which is often where trouble begins.
There is no way the two 16-year-old girls whose party it was could have paid for such an extravagant affair - their parents must have been involved.
What were they thinking allowing such a large number of guests to attend? Surely they know teen parties have the potential to get out of hand once word gets around.
A similar party was shut down at the last minute.
The Illuminate Paint Party that was organised to be held tonight was open to those over 16 but with a restricted area for over 18s to buy alcohol.
While it is a shame the organiser and 1500 patrons will miss out, the set-up was asking for trouble.
Police described it as a dangerous mix of alcohol and underage patrons.
Tauranga area commander Mike Clement says the focus should be on the event and not alcohol.
Teens seem to be relying on booze to have a good time, which hints at far more serious issues.
Teenage girls, in particular, are getting drunk and making poor judgment calls.
A Tauranga counsellor told the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend how she is seeing more girls for sexual assault than three years ago. And more often than not, excessive drinking is involved.
The dangerous attitudes to sex and alcohol these girls have is shocking.
They are also unaware of the long-term consequences of their actions such as unwanted pregnancies, sexual infections and the future complications that can come from them.
It is time for the Government to take a harder line and raise the drinking age to 20 years - no exceptions.
Current proposals to raise the age for buying liquor at supermarkets and other off-licence shops from 18 to 20 do not go far enough.
Some say that if 18-year-olds are old enough to vote and fight they should be able to drink.
But until they can prove they have the maturity and responsibility that is essential with alcohol consumption, they should not have the right to buy it.