A South Auckland doctor and parent is pleading with the Prime Minister to take a stand against binge-drinking among teenagers.
King's College student James Webster died in his sleep at the weekend after drinking a bottle of vodka outside a party.
The 16-year-old's death has prompted widespread concern and a call for the Government to act.
Margaret Abercrombie's son also attends King's College and she has written to fellow school parent and Prime Minister John Key, pleading with him to make it more difficult for teenagers to obtain alcohol.
Dr Abercrombie told Nine to Noon on Tuesday that she frequently sees young teenagers coping with unwanted pregnancies and assault as a result of binge-drinking.
She says when she asks young patients about their drinking habits, their answers reveal that binge-drinking is widespread and acceptable.
"I take a history by asking them how many times a week they would drink and then I ask them a quantity. The common answer is 12 or 24 drinks in a session.
"The definition of binge-drinking for a woman is four drinks in a session, for a man in New Zealand I understand it's six. So this is binge-drinking - there's no doubt about it."
Dr Abercrombie says the Government has a great opportunity to help change the drinking culture for young people by lifting the purchasing age of alcohol, following the recent Law Commission review of liquor laws.
However, Mr Key says while the James Webster's death is a tremendous tragedy, it will not play any part in the Government's consideration of the review's recommendations.
"In this particular instance, I can't tell you whether alcohol was the factor - that has not been determined. But this young boy was 16 years of age; that would have no impact in terms of raising the drinking age which is is currently 18."
Mr Key says he understands why blame gets placed on the Government, but the country as a whole needs to tackle issues relating to alcohol.
Many teens treated at hospital
An emergency department doctor at Wellington hospital says the death of a teenager in Auckland who drank a bottle of vodka is not an isolated incident.
Paul Quigley says 48 under-age drinkers were admitted to the hospital in the capital alone due to intoxication last year.
If a patient cannot get to the emergency department, Dr Quigley says putting them in the recovery position is the next best thing. However, they have to be supervised to make sure their airway is kept clear.
Dr Quigley says people as young as 14 have needed treatment for alcohol-related problems at the hospital.
