Tonight on Close Up ` On the booze with Mum and Dad. Is teen drinking at home a good idea or not? By supplying them with alcohol ` that is not the way to teach them. We explain the fuss and fine over simply crossing the road. And we meet a rural dynasty as we slip on the red bands for the Canterbury A&P Show. Due to the live nature of Close Up, captions for some items may be incomplete. ONE News captions by Finn Scott-Kelly and Richard Edmunds. Close Up captions by Angela Alice and Sam Bradford. A beer with Dad or a glass of bubbly at Christmas ` sounds harmless; a good idea, even, to get young teens used to alcohol so they don't go off the rails. Or is it normalising alcohol so they can head out with mates and really get hammered? Teenage drinking is a serious problem, but there's little consensus on how to approach it. In a moment, we'll talk to Rebecca Williams of Alcohol Healthwatch and Ross Bell from the Drug Foundation, but first Gill Higgins spoke to two families with very different points of view. You can have this piece, if you'd really like. It's just bacon and egg pie. The Mullins... It is a bit spicy. Come here! ...and the Kolstons ` two average K families dealing with the usual teenage troubles, and teen drinking is right up there bothering them both. TECHNO MUSIC It's so accessible. Alcohol is cheaper. Their whole focus when go out to drink is to get drunk. They drink beer, they drink wine, but they'll drink RTDs, and the RTDs are so strong. They taste like lemonade. I think all parents would probably agree we want to try to moderate the amount alcohol that children consumer. But I guess it's just we have a difference of opinion as to what the best strategy is for achieving that. In the Mullins family, it's about easing them in. It's more about education. It's like forbidden fruit. If you say no, no, no, well, they're always going to wonder. They're going to see their friends and, you know, I think they're more likely to fall by wayside. So their first son, Tim, got to drink at home. When he was sort of 15, perhaps 16, it was important that if he wanted to have a drink with me here at home, we'd normally have friends around, and he seemed to embrace that and then he moved on to having drinks with friends, which we didn't necessarily know about. It didn't put them off. It's the same plan for the other two. Tessa at 15 is just starting to get a look in. They kinda let me have a little drink at celebrations, but not at parties. Yeah. < And that's cool with you? Yeah. Well, sometimes. Sometimes I want to, but... In an extended family setting or with our friends, if she has too many, then finds out how she actually feels when she gets a bit tipsy, then, you know, she's in really safe environment. As for drinking at parties... I think in year or so, they'll start to gradually let me. But that simply doesn't add up for the Kolston family. I don't think I want my children to get used to drinking. I think it's sending a mixed message. They lump drinking with sex and smoking ` illegal for young teens. To be discussed, but not offered for a try-out. We don't give them practicals we don't say, 'Here you are have a go.' 'Have a few cigarettes. It might help you to be able to control yourself.' They rarely drink at home now, and it's strictly no alcohol at all for the kids. Our bottom line would be you don't have to drink to have a good time. But is that realistic? Dom (17) isn't too fussed about drinking. But as for his mates... When we, like, get together at night, a lot of people do. A lot people, like, binge. When my daughter would come home and say, Everybody else does it,' she wasn't lying. We have found from discussions with other parents that we are in a minority by not providing them with alcohol. How do you feel about that? I think it makes life very hard for us. Other people's parents have felt sorry for her, in a way, so that they've provided it for her. We don't have excuse that we didn't think it was dangerous. We know that is has long-lasting effects on our children and that the longer you leave it before you start to drink, the better it is for their health ` and safety. It's an issue close to home. My daughter has been incapacitated with alcohol and she's been in an incredibly risky situation that had awful consequences. And I know that if I had provided with any of the alcohol she drank that night, I would have felt awful. Deciding an approach for your own children is one thing, but with parties, suddenly there's responsibility for your kids' mates. Even the Prime Minister admits it's tough. As parent of teen children, there is enormous pressure to supply alcohol not just to them but to others. The Mullins felt that pressure and coped as best they could. Cos Tim was that captain of a few rugby teams, we had end-of-season parties here, but we had a lot of parents here. We'd make sure that their parents knew there was going to be alcohol, and if they weren't comfortable with it, they were to let us know. Under the new bill, it could be compulsory to get parental consent. A text from a parent may not be from a parent. I think it's incredibly naive to think they can police that effectively. So what's the answer? Despite their eldest son taking to drink more than they'd like,... Experiencing life without parents knowing about it. ...the Mullins are sticking to their guns. So with your oldest boy, would it have worked to just say, 'No, nothing till you're 18'? I think he would have rebelled, because he was in culture where all his friends were drinking. I think it comes back to moderation. It's the same for the Kolstons. The problems experienced by their eldest daughter has only strengthened their resolve. I do feel strongly about it, and I don't think that saying no is that evil. I think that sometimes you just have to say no. So are you saying you need a groundswell change of opinion among parents? If... I don't know, If eight out of 10 parents said, 'I'm not providing you with alcohol, 'or you're not going to that party if it's got alcohol,' then think would make a difference. We are running a text and Facebook poll on this issue tonight. The question is, do you think parents should let their underage teenagers drink alcohol? We'll have the results at the end of the show. Joining me now is Rebecca Williams from Alcohol Healthwatch, and in our Wellington studio is Ross Bell from the Drug Foundation. FIRST, ROSS, WHICH PARENTS GOT IT RIGHT? THE GOOD PARENTS PUTTING IN THE HARD WORRD ARE FOLLOWING WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS, WHICH IS TO DELAY DRINKING AS LONG AS POSSIBLE THE FIRST FAMILY THOUGH, ARE PROBABLY MORE TYPICAL AND SEEM TO HAVE A FAIRLY RESPONSIBILE APPROACH SO I THINK THE RULE IS YES, IT WOULD BE PREFERENCE THAT THOSE UNDER 18 WERENT DRINKING ALCOHOL BUT IF PARENTS WERE GOING TO SUPPLY THEIR TEENS IT SHOULD BE FEW AND SUPERVISED. SADLY, WE SEE LOTS OF CASES WHERE FAMILIES GO TO THE EXTREME AND PROVIDE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ALCOHOL REBECCA, IS THERE ARE A RIGHT WAY OF APPROACHING THIS? NO SILVER BULLET, UNFORTUNATELY. OUR ENVIRONMENT IS DRENCHED WITH ALCOHOL. KIDS ARE UNDER ENORMOUS PRESSURE I AGREE WITH ROSS. THE BEST ADVICE IS TO DELAY DRINKING FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU DO SUPPLY, DO IT AS A PARENT, MODERATE AND SUPERVISE. I'M NOT SAYING IT'S EASY. THE TWO FAMILIES ARE DOING THE RIGHT THINGS. IS THAT MAKING THE PROBLEM WORSE MAKING IT THE FORBIDDNE FRUIT? I'M NOT SURE IT WORKS LIKE THAT. I THINK KIDS RESPECT BOUNDARIES. THEY'RE MODELLING GOOD PRACTISES TEHMSELVES THEY'RE NOT DEMONSTRATING THAT HAVING A GOOD TIME IS DEPENDING ON BOOZE THERE'S A WHOLE MIX OF THINGS THAT COME INTO PLAY. THERE'S NO DENYING THE CHALLENGES FOR PARENTS ARE HUGE. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS PARENTAL CONSENT IDEA/ SOUNDS LIKE A WELL-MEANING IDEA, BUT WILL IT WORK? THESE THINGS HAVE WORKED N NSW. WE'RE NOT TRYING SOMETHING NEW. WE'RE BORROWING FROM THE AUSTRALIANS. THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT SHOULD BE SUPPLYING IS PARENTS, AND IF THEY DO THAT, THEY SHOULD SUPERVISE IT. TOO OFTEN WE HAVE CASES WHERE PEOPLE THINK THEY HAVE TO BE COOL AND PROVIDE LARGE AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOCL REBECCA, UNLIKE THE OLD DAYS, YOU DON'T NEED TO RING UP NOW. KIDS CAN TEXT AND FACEBOOK. ARE WE DREAMING TO THINK WE CAN CONTROL TEENS? I THINK IT'D TAKE SOME SERIOUS RESPONSES TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENT AND TAKE AWAY PRESSURE TO DRINK IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, NOT ONLY ARE PARENTS THE ONLY LEGAL SUPPLIERS, WHAT GOES WITH THAT, ANY SUPPLY IT HAS TO BE DONE RESPONSIBLY THE PROPOSED LAW IS SENDING QUITE A STRONG MESSAGE. AND I THINK IT'S TIME FOR PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO CATCH UP WITH THAT. FINALLY, AS A PARENT, HORRENDOUS NUMBERS ON TEENAGE GIRLS DRINKING UNFORTUNATELY, 28% OF 16-17 WOMEN ARE DRINKING 8+ DRINKS WHEN THEY CONSUME ALCOHOL THIS IS UP FROM 9% IN 1995. THE INCREASE IS SIGNIFICANT. WE'RE LOOKING AT SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THAT'S WHY THIS CONVERSATION IS IMPORTANT. WE'VE ALL GOT TO WORK TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. The text and Facebook poll is open. Let me remind you. If you want to tell us your views, you know what to do. There's the website, or email us at... And on Facebook, you can vote or post your views. Coming up ` why crossing the road can cost you $66 in Sydney, and a family that shows together stays together, at Canterbury's big farm event. When you see the 'don't cross' red man at the intersection, do you think it's a rule or just a suggestion? In Sydney the police are cracking down on the jaywalkers, and unsurprisingly it's not going down well. We'll get to what the rules are here in a moment. But first here is David Ecclestone from Australia's Channel Seven. ROCK MUSIC You crossed the road in the middle of the intersection on your phone. Yep. ROCK MUSIC You could step in front of a car, a bus, a truck or anything. ROCK MUSIC They're in la-la land. They've got noise-cancelling earphones. They can't hear you yelling out, 'Watch out.' They can't hear a siren. They can't hear a horn. Saving a few seconds can indeed be costly. $66 ` is that a big much, do you think, to have been given a fine for jaywalking? OK, so you'd rather not say anything about the fine? No. Police operation Franklin Three was never going to win a popularity contest. < Do you know how dangerous that was, sir? But its aim is to lower the frightening number of pedestrians being killed and injured. It's a major problem. People are getting hurt by cars every day because they're stepping off the kerb, they're not watching what they're doing. It's been a deadly year in New South Wales according to chief inspector of operations Mark Cooke. 60 fatalities this year and, across the country, 189 last year. 49 in Victoria. 33 deaths in Queensland. 17 in South Australia. 26 in WA. Tassie and the Northern Territory a combined 12 fatalities last year. Apart from the pain, the grief and the suffering, this is costing Australia $27b a year. That's what road trauma costs. Pedestrian Council of Australia's Harold Scruby thinks the $66 fine for jaywalking is not enough. Our obsession with talking on phones and listening to iPods, emailing while we're on the footpath is taking its toll. They've tuned right out. That's why we're running this campaign. < Talk to me about the campaign. It's called Stop, Look, Listen and Think. Don't tune out. The police were clearly visible, positioned on every corner and on bikes. Yet time wasn't lost on those people who just couldn't wait for the green man. Do you think it's fair? Oh well, while he was booking me, there was, like, about dozens of people crossing the road as well. So you're the unlucky one? Yeah. We were just having a conversation about work and we didn't really take much notice, to be honest. So we'll have to have a look next time. That woman on the phone in the dress. HORN TOOTS Out of the way, please, sir. SIREN WAILS ROCK MUSIC Don't run from me, ma'am. I wish to speak to you. Oh, right. Finish your phone call, please, ma'am. Oh, I've gotta get off the phone. OK, I've stopped you for crossing the road illegally. ROCK MUSIC Chased down Pitt St Mall. How are you feeling about getting a fine? Not too great. Quite a lot of people do it, so... < $66. Is that a lot for you? I know. Um,... it is for crossing a road. Jaywalking is already an offence in other states, but always at the discretion of the officer. They're very lucky they're being booked. We saved their lives. Now, could the Oz crackdown come here? Pedestrian offences include finding you guilty of crossing against red 'don't cross' traffic signal. Loitering on the road is an offence, and so is crossing within 20m of a pedestrian crossing. But our police don't actively pursue these. For example, we got some stats today. Only three ` count them, three ` people have been done for crossing near a pedestrian crossing in the past six years. Failing to keep on the footpath is something people have been cited for the past. But that's possibly just after a hard night out on a Friday. Hardly big numbers, and the likely fine will be minimal. Police today told us it's a matter of common sense. They believe more in good education, good road design and personal responsibility than in chasing walkers down. Just ahead ` she's got the look, but... It's a bit like Miss NZ. If she doesn't clean her teeth, she's probably not gonna win We reveal the real hard work behind the shaggy beauty at Canterbury's A&P Show. 100,000 people and 3000 animals are descending on Canterbury this week for the 150th running of the A&P show. The Stevensons of Cheviot will be there. The family's had three generations of show presidents, and enough prize sheep to fill a woolshed. They spoke with Abby Scott. With the arrival of key guests,... and a bit of country manners,... Good to see ya. ...the Canterbury Show's back in town. Can't call it a holiday, but it's an excursion. It's been an excursion every year of my life. Ian Stevenson's practically got the show in his blood. The old grandfather was the president in 1910, and actually his brother was a president too. And Uncle Jim was, 1962, and Dad was 1982, and then I got conned into it and did the job in 2006. They're also champion sheep breeders. Ian's father's ram won Supreme Merino Award five years in a row back in the '60s. Ian's won the title nearly a dozen times. Back home on the farm in Cheviot, the woolshed walls are covered in show bounty. Quite a collection you've got here. How many years are up on the wall? From there, that way, is all last year's. Some of these are just various ` 2010, 2008. Last year what did you win? Reserve champion poll merino ewe, champion fine merino ewe, champion merino ram. That's the grand champion merino ewe. She was the best ewe in show, and then she went on and changed colours and she got this one for Supreme Champion merino of the show. So the ewe doesn't often beat the ram. If you had all the ribbons you've won throughout the years, how much of this wall would be full? Without being stupid, we'd wallpaper the whole round the wall of the shed. But in typical K fashion, he's not one for blowing his own trumpet. It'd be fair to say that you guys do OK at the show usually? Oh, we've had our share. Mind you, we've got 35 sheep going, so it's just like winning a ticket in a raffle. Well, not really. A lot of hard work and preparation go into getting Ian's sheep show-ready. Son Bryce is his right-hand man. Yeah, he's all right. God, he's growing some wool now. It's a bit like Miss NZ. If she doesn't clean her teeth, she's probably not gong to win. Not that we clean their teeth, but we trim any rough bits off their wool and just give them a general tidy-up. While in the past it was all about looks, SHEEP BLEATS now they've got to have the breeding stats to back them up. A couple of these rams were out on the hill there for five weeks with ewes and laid 80-100 ewes, might have been more; whereas one time there was a lot of stock that went to the show and that's all they did. They were pretty boys, show animals. Judges are now looking for the whole package. You always start off on the head of an animal. In a merino, he's got his soft silky ` see that ` that's a sign of quality. Soft silky ears. Nice clean eye. Have a look at his teeth. Sheep only have bottom teeth. Not to see if they're clean, just to see that the teeth hit the jaw squarely. And then he'll stand back and have a look at the conformation of the sheep. Does he stand up on his feet well? And then he'll start to look at the wool, and he'll start there. If the wool's good quality, right on what we call the top knot. If he's got good crimp in there, it's a sign that his wool will be pretty good through the rest of his body. Is the wool more important than the structure, or is it overall? It's overall now. The merino has evolved and changed. At one stage it was 92.5% wool, as long as it had a carcass to carry the fleece. Nowadays, we're breeding merinos with more meat on them. You can leave home here with the best sheep you think you've ever had, and it might be lucky if it gets fourth. Even when you arrive, you can't be sure how the opposition stacks up. Someone will have one somewhere with the cover still on it, or it might even be in its right pen. It'll be in a pen somewhere else, around the corner, hidden behind a bale of hay perhaps. Tomorrow, though, the bales will be gone and the competition will be on. You've taken out the supreme award a number of times throughout the years. What does that mean? Usually a sore head and a lighter wallet, cos you shout for all your mates. Whoever wins, it's all handshakes. 'Well done, good luck,' whatever. You show sheep, show stock, with the idea of winning. If you don't, it doesn't matter, cos you'll have a hell of a good time anyway. So the poll closed a few moments ago. The question was: 'Do you think parents should let their underage teenagers drink alcohol?' We've had a good turnout. More than 3000 people voted by text and over 200 on Facebook. The results show 33% say 'yes' and 67% voted 'no'. Not very close that one. The majority definitely think parents should not let their underage teenagers drink alcohol. And that's NZ Close Up. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012