VIC: Health minister warns youth to avoid festive excess

AAP General News (Australia)
12-29-1998
VIC: Health minister warns youth to avoid festive excess

MELBOURNE, Dec 29 AAP - Victorian Health Minister Rob Knowles today warned young people to
avoid abusing drugs and alcohol during the Christmas and New Year festive season.

"Let your hair down within reason this silly season, by all means, but not your guard," Mr
Knowles said.

"A most effective way for the young to minimise harm to themselves from drug and alcohol is
to take responsibility for looking after themselves and their friends," he said.

Mr Knowles said a heady mix of festive spirits and free-flowing alcoholic spirits could
"bring the unwary unstuck in unfamiliar surroundings where they might otherwise exercise
caution".

He urged the public to review first-aid techniques, have a stocked first-aid kit and a list
of emergency phone numbers.

Mr Knowles said that in the coming year the Victorian government would spend $5.3 million
on projects related to drug and alcohol abuse.

AAP gf/er/it

KEYWORD: EVE WARNING

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