The Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) recently sent out an open letter to all principals, urging alcohol NOT TO be included at school fund raisers.

Dear Principal

I am writing to you as Chairman of the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) to formally seek your assistance and co-operation in not permitting the use, sale or promotion of alcohol products in school fundraising activities.

The issue of alcohol misuse is a matter of significant concern for parents, the general community and governments and there is now a significant body of research regarding the negative physical, mental health and social impact of alcohol on young people, particularly in regard to brain and cognitive development. There is also significant evidence on the enormous social, health and economic costs resulting from alcohol misuse.

Accordingly, the ANCD is seeking the agreement of all schools across Australia to not become involved with any marketing, sale or distribution of alcohol products.  There are considerable issues about the message this practice can send to young people, particularly when the school’s name can be so closely associated with alcohol products.

In undertaking this request we are aware that many schools rely on parent and community support to provide quality programs and resources for their students. We also understand that the financial pressures on schools require the ongoing development of fundraising activities to supplement budgets. The ANCD also recognizes and acknowledges the educationally legitimate role of some schools involving students in vocational programs related to the responsible service of alcohol in hospitality programs and viticulture programmes, and it is not the intention of the ANCD to try and curtail these legitimate activities undertaken by schools.

However, some of the concerns that have been raised with the ANCD included:

Students being used as couriers between school and home for advertising material, forms and payment for the purchase of alcohol as a fundraising activity;
School newsletters being used to promote alcohol sales as part of a fundraising activity;
School administrative staff being involved in tasks such as copying, handling and collection of paperwork on alcohol related sales associated with fundraising activity;
Parents being advised to encourage friends, relatives and neighbours to support the alcohol related fundraising activity by purchasing alcohol;
Wine tasting events being organised on school premises;
Alcohol products being labelled with the school name and logo to encourage greater sales.
Having taken into account this information, the available research, as well as consulting widely with drug and alcohol experts, schools representatives and education policy makers, it is clear that schools can play an integral role in helping our society change the culture associated with alcohol.

As a result, the ANCD resolved to write to every school in Australia to request that you and your school community develop clear and appropriate guidelines on fundraising activities with regard to the use of alcohol. As part of this process we urge you to include the strict avoidance of using children and young people under the age of 18 years in any way to promote alcohol.

The ANCD also takes this opportunity to encourage all schools to seek legal clarification on the requirements within their jurisdiction when developing these guidelines, and just as importantly, they also review how they currently address alcohol, and other drug issues within their curriculum.

Further information and details on school fund raising policies, supply and secondary supply of alcohol, State and Territory legislation and other useful information is available on the ANCD website at ANCD Schools Fundraising & Alcohol Paper.

Yours faithfully
Dr John Herron
Chairman
Australian National Council on Drugs

The ANCD can be contacted at:
PO Box 205Civic Square  ACT  2608
Phone:  02 61669600
Fax:  02 61622611
E:  ancd@ancd.org.au

Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD)