Sometimes the thought of letting your teen host a party at home, or go out with friends can be a daunting one. Youthsafe has put together some information, resources and links to help your teen and their friends party safely. This information should support you in minimising party-related risks for your teen by helping you discuss, plan and manage their celebrations together.

Parent Fact Sheet: Helping Teenagers Celebrate Safely
Whether your teenager is hosting a party at home or just ‘going out’ with friends, this fact sheet contains some important discussion points and planning tips to help keep them safe.
Download: Helping Teenagers to Celebrate Safely

Talking about Safe Celebrating with your Teenager
This information is designed to help you have meaningful and positive discussions with your teenager about staying safe when they go out, or have a party at home. It includes suggested questions to ask, why asking these questions is important and strategies for negotiating an agreement with your teenager about their rights and responsibilities.
Download: Talking and Tips about Safe Celebrating

Parent-Teenager Agreements
You may want to formalise the discussions you have with your teen by preparing a ‘parent-teenager agreement’. This agreement can be as formal or as informal as you both like. Youthsafe has prepared some samples of agreements which you can modify or use as is.
Download: Parent-Teenager Agreement Sample 1
Download: Parent-Teenager Agreement Sample 2

Community or School Support
Youthsafe also has programs for your school or local community groups, designed to help your teen and their friends to party safely. For more information click here

Other Links and Information 
Youthsafe has also put together some information, resources and links to help your teen and their friends party safely.

You can register your party with the local police – this means they can offer advice and support in holding a safer party and can respond more quickly if something goes wrong. NSW Police Safe Party Strategy.

Knowing your legal responsibilities surrounding teens and alcohol use is sometimes difficult. That’s why it’s a good idea to speak to your local Police Licensing Officer regarding this. However, you may also be interested to read the relevant section of the NSW Legislation relating to alcohol and minors. The specific law is titled the Liquor Act 2007, No. 90 and the relevant section is “Part 7, Special Provisions relating to Minors, Division 1”.

The NSW Department of Education & Training (DET) has prepared a comprehensive document on young people, alcohol and celebrating, including young people going on holidays, going to parties and the supply of alcohol to minors. This document is also available in a vast number of languages other than English. NSW DET: Alcohol: Celebrations & Supply

Sometimes it’s difficult to talk to your teenager about your feelings and expectations around alcohol or drug use. The Commonwealth government has produced some documents to help you with these discussions. Teenagers and Alcohol: A Guide for Parents and Tips for Parents. Australian Government National Drugs Campaign

No Regrets Safe Party Tips - This resource provides practical safe celebrating tips that parents and young people can follow to reduce the risks for young people and relieve stress for parents. It was developed by the Manly, Mosman, Pittwater and Warringah Councils in partnership with Clubs NSW.

The Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) has also written a booklet to guide parents in discussions with teens about alcohol and other drugs. This can be ordered from the ADF Bookshop for a small fee.  ADF Bookshop

Often young people start to go out more frequently when they or their friends get their driver’s license. This can increase the risk of injury however with your support they can be safer. The NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has a page on young drivers including information on licensing, workshops for parents on young drivers and alcohol and other drugs.

Youthsafe also has a fact sheet “Helping Teenagers become Safer Drivers”, which is, available in English, Chinese and Arabic.

DrugInfo is the official NSW Government Website on drug issues. It covers a wide range of information including support for parents and families.

A number of organisations have produced a variety of tips and information on safe partying.
NSW Government Safe Partying information
Australian Drug Foundation – Safe Party Fact Sheets
Central Coast Health - Celebrate Safely

The National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) conducts research on many relevant topics including young men and alcohol, young women and alcohol, mixing alcohol & cannabis, ready-to-drink pre-mixed alcohol and party drugs.