AN INTERACTIVE forum about young people and binge drinking and how to promote safe partying, for parents and carers, will be held on Wednesday 25 June at the Beaumaris Community Centre, from 7.30pm to 9pm.

The Dealing with Binge Drinking information forum is being run as part of National Drug Action Week (22-28 June). The theme this year is Alcohol is a drug – TOO!

Bayside Youth Advisory Group member Councillor Terry O’Brien said binge drinking among young people was a concern in the community due to the physical and emotional risks it brought.

“Through the development of Council’s Youth Strategy 2007-2010 binge drinking was raised as a major issue of concern facing young people.

“Many parents want to know how to best approach alcohol and partying with their children. The Dealing with Binge Drinking information forum is an opportunity for parents and carers of young people to get together and discuss strategies on how to deal with concerns relating to alcohol and parties,” Cr O’Brien said.

Guest speakers include Geoff Munro from the Australian Drug Foundation and representatives from Victoria Police and Taskforce Drug & Alcohol Agency. Jason Clark from Minds at Work will facilitate the session.

The ‘Dealing with Binge Drinking’ information forum is a joint initiative by Bayside City Council, Taskforce, Victoria Police, FamilyLife, Reach Out Southern Mental Health, Bentleigh Bayside Community Health Services, Family Drug Help, Bayside General Practice Network.