Alcohol free events

Alcohol is served at many social events; a family BBQ, a birthday party, Saturday afternoon at the football or netball club and at community get togethers. But alcohol, particularly in excess, can lead to health problems, violence and accidents.

Young people are at particular risk from alcohol. Health authorities recommend that young people should avoid drinking until they are in their 20s to protect their developing brains, which can be damaged by even small amounts of alcohol.

Alcohol and sport
There has been a strong link between sport and alcohol. There is increasing evidence that community based sports clubs contribute to alcohol problems by promoting and accepting excessive drinking.

Sport clubs, which often cater for many age groups, have a particular responsibility to their players, particularly their young players.
Programs like Good Sports (see below) can help community sporting clubs change their attitude to alcohol and still be sustainable.

Fun without alcohol
It is possible to have enjoyable sporting and social events without alcohol.

Parties can still be fun without alcohol. Make the event special with decorations and serve glamorous, colourful mocktails in special glasses. Adult guests might appreciate a refreshing drink that doesn’t give them cause for worry about being over the limit when they drive home. 

Teenagers will feel special too, if you serve them special ‘adult’ drinks (without alcohol) that the young ones can’t have till they’re older.

Other things to do to make a party fun:

• Dancing – get people up and moving, it’s fun and lots of people long for a chance to show off their style, put on the Macarena, it’s sure to get people up!
• Games – bring out the inner child in your friends; ask everyone to come with a suggestion for a game, for example, backyard cricket, charades, card games, twister, the limbo or even pin the tail on the cow! Look up party games on the Web.
• Food – provide lots of interesting food – or ask everyone to bring a plate to share.
• Music – ask around, there may be people of all age groups with a dusty instrument in a cupboard that they could bring out for a ‘Local Idol’ party!
• Themes – encourage some frivolity, have a Halloween party or a red party.

You can have a fun event without alcohol! Try it, you might be surprised and you’ll wake up with a clear head in the morning. Look after yourself and set an example for young people; organise your next BBQ without booze!