Wanaka parents will be better equipped for awkward conversations with their teenagers thanks to an expert brought to town by the Wanaka Alcohol Group (WAG).

WAG’s annual guest presenter this year is Richie Hardcore, a sought-after public speaker on topics ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, sexual consent and mental health.

Next week Richie will share his experiences and expertise for the benefit of Wanaka parents, health promoters and educators. He will talk about a culture embedded with unhealthy ideas and beliefs around these awkward topics and more.

Recent surveys conducted by WAG show parents of young people have expressed concern around the issues of alcohol consumption, sexual risk taking and pornography. 

The evening with Richie will be an opportunity to listen, learn and discuss ways of shifting the uncomfortable to become the ‘comfortable’, WAG spokesperson Bronwyn Coers said.

A lot of parents aren’t aware the brain can be damaged by drinking alcohol, up until the age of 24-years-old.

Bronwyn said WAG has monitored community behaviours over the past few months and feedback from committee members including police, Mount Aspiring College (MAC) senior staff and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) licensing staff in particular, all indicate alcohol is a significant issue in our community. 

The group has responded with a collaborative community education campaign, which includes radio messages, youth-led interactive activities, print and social media campaigns, and now Richie’s visit.

WAG runs two longitudinal studies on alternating years; one looks at the students’ perspective, the other at parents’ perspectives. This research provides valuable evidence to compare bi-annual trends in behaviour and attitudes among youth, and makes recommendations for future work, Bronwyn said.

Last year’s parent perspective survey showed that while parents weren’t supplying alcohol any more than they have in the past, young people are sharing their supply.

Bronwyn also said there is a common belief that parents should supervise their children drinking as they believe their children will be drinking anyway. But research shows there is no link between ‘coaching’ your children how to drink, and better behaviour around alcohol when they are older, she said.

“When they do start early there is a correlation between health issues and mental health issues. There is no reason to say coaching is helpful,” she said.

She said a lot of parents are not aware the brain can be damaged by drinking alcohol, up until the age of 24-years-old.

This year’s youth survey, Harming Me Harming You, will be conducted this month with Years 9-11.

“We are interested to see whether the trend we are noticing has changed, that more senior students claim they aren’t drinking as much but we are seeing younger youth [12-13 years] experimenting at a more junior age,” Bronwyn said.

WAG is also interested to see whether COVID-19 has made any difference to attitudes or behaviour.

Richie Hardcore has been brought to Wanaka by WAG in partnership with MAC and QLDC. He will speak on Tuesday September 15, from 7:00pm - 8.45pm at the Lake Wanaka Centre. Register here.

Richie will also speak to senior MAC students (Year 11-13) the following afternoon. Find out more about Richie here.

WAG is a collaboration of community stakeholders in the Upper Clutha. It was formed in 2013 to ensure an ongoing conversation about alcohol and drug behaviour, particularly relating to youth in the community.

PHOTOS: Supplied