-feeling good;

-being relaxed;

-feeling less inhibited;

-getting stimulated.

-periods of drunkenness;

-periods of stopping drink altogether and then starting again;

-being unable to stop drinking once a drinking session has started;

-gulping down alcoholic drinks;

-seeing alcohol as a cure for problems such as their lack of confidence;

-reluctance to talk about alcohol or their own drinking;

-using deodorizers such as mouth wash or air fresheners to mask the smell of alcohol.

-not eating a balanced diet, which can cause weight fluctuations and cracks at the corner of the mouth;

-poor short-term memory;

-heavy sweating;

-stomach upsets, bloating and nausea;

-clusters of broken blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin around the neck and across the upper chest (spider naevi), with regular or heavy use; pain under the right ribs, from excessive use;

-blackouts (unable to remember a part or all of events) from excessive or regular use; drowsiness while intoxicated;

-changes in the size of the pupils of the eye;

-slurred speech and staggering walk while intoxicated.

The most commonly used drug in New Zealand, alcohol, is potentially dangerous. In large doses it is harmful to the body and can cause physical and psychological addiction. Alcohol also causes a lot of society's problems, such as road accidents, physical abuse and domestic violence.

Alcohol problems are often not noticed until they have become quite severe. Alcoholism affects a very small proportion of our society. A far greater proportion of New Zealand drinkers fall into one of two categories - Careless Consumers or the Problem Consumers. They tend to lead normal lives and may not drink every day, but when they start they sometimes find it difficult to stop. Many problems can be associated with their drinking, such as minor arguments and hangovers. Yet they do not see themselves as having an alcohol problem.

Young people commonly fit into the Careless Consuming type. At weekends they may become intoxicated and show some of the signs listed above. They may even be arrested. In a survey of young New Zealanders between 15-1 7 years of age, 74.4% of males and 76.2% of females reported using alcohol (Health Department statistics).

A person may develop an alcohol problem regardless of how old they are or how much they drink. If you yourself do not drink, this does not insulate your child. But your positive parenting influence will affect your child's decisions and behaviour.

Repeated excessive use of alcohol will stunt the physical and emotional development of a child. It can cause damage to the brain, heart, liver, nervous system and reproductive organs.

For more information, please feel free to email Senior Constable Ian Browne