Tough After Ball Stance Backed by ALAC

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.

Auckland police have written to school principals asking them to tell parents and students that supplying minors with alcohol at such events is illegal.

“ALAC supports Police calls for commercially run after-balls where alcohol is supplied to minors to be prosecuted to the full effect of the law,” he said.

Mr Vaughan said the law was there for a reason; to protect minors.

“This is simply a back door way of attempting to circumvent the law.”

Mr Vaughan said some organisers at some events arranged for those under 18 to have permission slips signed by parents to allow their children to be served and believed this allowed them to get around the law. Police did not accept this.

“The law is clear and the alcohol must be supplied by a parent or guardian.”

For further information or comment contact ALAC Corporate Communications Manager Lynne Walsh on 021 369 081.