They face greater pressure than ever for employment, school education and higher education places. Psychiatric services can be difficult to access for most young people and those self-medicating may develop concurrent disabilities which can further reduce their access to services. Reasons for drinking include enjoyment, having fun, relaxation, gaining confidence, forgetting problems. Peer pressure is not regarded by most drinkers as important. Perception of alcohol-related harms is short term.
Females identify sexual vulnerability as a problem.
Students lack knowledge of how alcohol is metabolised, blood alcohol concentration, standard drinks, and the process of sobering up. They do not know how to monitor their intake to prevent intoxication. Homeless young people for whom drug and alcohol use has been found to be high and who may have limited access to appropriate services and information. Young offenders who may offend under the influence of drugs or to support a drug habit or drift back to an inappropriate lifestyle based on alcohol and drugs when not in custody. Young Kooris for whom existing alcohol and drug services may be culturally inappropriate.