Bundaberg, famous for the production of rum, is suffering from the effects on its youth of an alcohol culture.

The City's police lay the blame for recent party violence on young people with nothing to do, turning to drink.

By student reporter J.Lee.

Bundaberg Sergeant Mike McLellan said that the police were fed up dealing with minor offences that were due to alcohol consumption, particularly among youths.

"Most of our work involves intoxicated people doing the wrong thing," he said.

Senior Sergeant Irwin Hoffman felt the same way saying that, "Police are doing all they can through education but the message is not getting through".

The Queensland Police Party Safe initiative is one way that Police are trying to teach young people to hold safe, incident free parties. Party hosts are urged to register their party to provide police the details in the event of a call out. The program also gives information for both guests and parents about partying safe.

The ‘One Punch Can Kill' is another initiative from the Queensland Government warning youths about the consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence. The campaign targets young men aged 15-19 who make up the single highest category of offenders against other people in Queensland. They are also the age group that is most likely to become victims of such crime.

While education and Government spending on initiatives against the problem have been running for years, it remains at alarmingly high levels.

The mix of alcohol and violence is not only limited to the Bundaberg region, with a recently released Government report highlighting that the problem is nation wide.

The 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey has revealed startling statistics regarding alcohol abuse in Australia. The report found that 22% of teenagers consumed alcohol weekly, on average the first drink is consumed at 17.

The report revealed that one in eight people drove a car under the influence and that one in 17 admitted to verbally abusing someone while under the influence and around one-quarter of teenagers put themselves at risk of short-term alcohol-related harm at least once a month.

The report's findings have been cited by the Federal Government as the basis for the recent tax increases on certain alcoholic drinks favoured by young people

Bundaberg youths on the other hand are complaining that there is a lack of cultural activities held in the region.

Bundaberg resident Louisa Mencnerowski, 20, said, "Apart from the beach and two shopping centres there is nothing else to do here," she said, "It's like a cultural wasteland."

University student, Christel Sharp, 20, agrees that there is little on offer for young people in the region, "Bundaberg needs more youth orientated things," she said, "Otherwise young people resort to doing stupid things like gate crash parties and fight."

Community Development worker for the Bundaberg and Burnett Shire, Anne McWhirter believed that young people are well catered for, "We hold many youth orientated activities but people just don't show up, the real problem however, is that the community just doesn't engage the youth in our area."

"The Burnett Shire Youth Council plans many activities for youths throughout the year, including, outdoor movie nights, a beach bash, skate bowl events and youth summits to name a few," Ms McWhirter said.

Victoria Health recently blamed that state's drinkers' aggressive behaviour on Bundaberg's famous spirit because of its high sugar and alcohol content, however the company denies there is any connection between the rum and youth violence.