Overseas poisoning spikes concerns for Schoolies as Grant Stevens encourages attendees to “make sensible decisions”
Following reports of drink spiking overseas, parents are encouraging children to be wary.
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This year marks Kirstin Hill’s fourth and final time as a Schoolies parent.
Despite having endured multiple Schoolies weekends, Ms Hill admitted that she was still feeling a slight sense of nervousness leaving Sophie and her fellow Sacred Heart College student friends at the Middleton Caravan Park.
Following reports of mass methanol poisoning through drink spiking overseas and the tragic death of Melbourne teenager, Bianca Jones as a result, Ms Hill said she was concerned about similar activities impacting her daughter’s safety.
“I would love to say you can’t go but why should she have to miss out because other people are idiots?,” Ms Hill said.
“I am most scared about all of the drugs out there and having our girls’ drinks spiked.
“I was a little bit less scared when it was my son (going to Schoolies) but that’s probably a bit sexist.
“I have told them a million times to have their alcohol in eyesight at all times.”
While previously waving her children off from the driveway, this year she decided to drive Sophie to the annual leavers festival.
“(I am driving) mainly because I was free and I had the tent,” Ms Hill said.
As Ms Hill said her goodbyes to her daughter and her friends she has a simple message for them: “Have fun, behave!”
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens encouraged Schoolies attendees on Friday to leave their cars at home and “make sensible decisions”.
“It’s a reality that Charlie was down on the Fleurieu when he was involved in that collision that saw us lose him and I would hate to think that young people who are looking forward to a rite of passage that has become a real feature in the year 12 school year that they wouldn’t go down and enjoy themselves because … of a tragedy that happened previously,” Mr Stevens said.
“It’s really about just making sure that you make sensible choices and go and have a good time but make sure you come home.
“I just wouldn’t want people to take a negative view about what is historically a really safe, fun event for young people finishing off their schooling years so maintain a positive outlook and enjoy yourselves in a safe way.”
4,000 high school graduates touched down in Victor Harbour on Friday for a weekend of festivities with caravan parks quickly becoming crowded with tents, swags and tables.
With temperatures soaring to 35 degrees many headed down for a swim at the beach.
One group of former Seymour College students enjoyed beating the heat from the comfort of their blow up pool set up at Victor Harbor Holiday Park.
“While we were making the beer pong table we got a bit hot so we went and bought the big pool,” Amelia Mahney said.
“We’ve been finished (school) for ages so we’re all back together now which is good.”
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Originally published as Overseas poisoning spikes concerns for Schoolies as Grant Stevens encourages attendees to “make sensible decisions”
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