By targeting 18-year-olds the NSW Government misses the mark when it comes to educating young people about alcohol abuse, a youth lobby group says.
Youth Action is calling for a change to the NSW Government's "just say no" approach to alcohol education in schools.
"We would like to see an adaption that acknowledges the reality that young people are going to touch alcohol before 18," the group's policy and advocacy director Eamon Waterford told AAP.
The group wants a reformed alcohol education program added to the curriculum for the PDHPE - personal development, health and physical education - subject.
Mr Waterford said 55 per cent of males and 30 per cent of females aged 15-17 usually consumed five or more standard drinks when they were drinking.
Youth Action has sent a submission to Education Minister Adrian Piccoli ahead of the upcoming state election calling for a comprehensive education program targeting 15 to 17-year-old students.
Mr Waterford said it would teach students to drink safely - as opposed to the current don't drink at all stance - and how to look after a mate.
"We would see a shift in amounts consumed and reduction in binge drinking," he said.
"If we are able to improve the drinking habits at an early age we can see a reduction in alcohol-related violence and long term improvements to health."
Mr Waterford doesn't believe it will be difficult to get parents onside with the initiative but policy makers who "might be stuck behind the times".
The current PDHPE curriculum already addresses the long and short term consequences of alcohol and drug use, a NSW education department spokesman said.
Senior students learn about the effects of substance abuse, minimising risk and enhancing their wellbeing.
"The level of detail in which schools deliver their drug education programs needs to be age appropriate and in the context of the school community," the spokesman said.
"Schools often work in partnership with parents to deliver a comprehensive drug education program to enhance the wellbeing of young people."
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