The Wanaka community must take a good, hard look at itself for allowing teenagers to poison themselves with alcohol, Wanaka Community Board chairman Lyal Cocks said yesterday.
This follows an incident last Friday night when two teens missed out on Mt Aspiring College's "Macstock" concert at the Lake Wanaka Centre because they were so sick from drinking they had to be taken to Dunstan Hospital by St John Ambulance.
Nine other youngsters were refused entry to the concert because they were drunk, the school confirmed yesterday.
Cr Cocks said he wanted to know what part of the community was involved in "aiding and abetting" underage drinking, so everyone could work together to prevent a death, he said.
"We have to have a good look at ourselves.
"We could be aiding and abetting the senseless death of children, if we allow this to continue . . .
"If someone had died, it wouldn't have been a tragedy.
"It would have been a stupid, senseless waste of life," he said.
Snr Sgt Allan Grindell yesterday said police were making several inquiries following the incident.
"I am a wee bit alarmed. Only two weeks ago, a young man died [16-year-old Auckland Kings College pupil James Webster] after drinking what I believe was probably a bottle of spirits.
"Now we have two students - and I understand two fine young students - taken away for gross intoxication.
"I am scared. It is not just a problem in other places in New Zealand, it is here," Snr Sgt Grindell said.
College principal Wayne Bosley said about 300 young people went to the alcohol-free event, which was also attended by private security officers, parents and staff.
"The ambulance was called for one intoxicated student.
She was transferred to Dunstan Hospital with another student who had already been picked up by his parents.
They were both discharged shortly after midnight on Friday night," Mr Bosley said.
Mr Bosley said college pupils were feeling "let down badly" and the school was "very disappointed" by the actions of a very small group.
Snr Sgt Grindell said a parent had contacted police about older teenagers supplying under-18s with alcohol.
One teenager had admitted supplying alcohol and police were working with another teenager suspected of supply, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
The police were also asking underage pupils which outlets they were buying alcohol from.
Police also wanted to make the point parents had to limit the amount they supplied their children, Snr Sgt Grindell said.
"It appears liquor is being supplied to students possibly by students themselves and possibly by parents.
"There are some issues here for us.
"It is not a criminal offence to supply your own children with alcohol to take to a private function ... but parents do have to be aware of the amount they are giving them.
"To give a male who is under 18 a slab of beer is just asking for trouble," Snr Sgt Grindell said.
Mr Bosley said school staff and the police were working together with the individual students and the parents concerned, he said.
"We have stated in a recent newsletter and in the press that the James Webster incident highlighted the need for young people to make better choices with alcohol.
We have also discussed alcohol issues in class.
"We, along with the parents and the police, are very concerned about where these young people are getting access to alcohol.
"We will continue to work with parents, police and most importantly students in modifying attitudes and behaviour towards alcohol," Mr Bosley said.
Cr Cocks will raise the issue at next Tuesday's Wanaka Community Board meeting.
He had already intended to put youth drinking issues on the agenda, following a discussion about national youth drinking issues between local government representatives and the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand chief executive Gerard Vaughan in Wellington last Thursday.
