TOOLIES, alcohol and drugs will be targeted by police at leavers festivities in Dunsborough next week.
Thousands of teenagers will head for the leavers zones in Dunsborough next Monday to celebrate the end of school life.
Additional police including traffic officers, dog handlers and water police officers will work alongside local police officers to control behaviour.
Western Australia Police will focus on intercepting “Toolies” or those who target younger, more vulnerable Leavers.
They will also target individuals who supply alcohol to underage leavers and the dealers of prohibited drugs.
Commander Murray Smalpage said that whilst there was a strong police presence, the focus of the activity would be the leavers and their transition from being school students to being young adults.
“There is one important message we always have for leavers, and that is to look after yourself, and look after your mates,” Mr Smalpage said.
“This should be a time in your life that you can look back on with good memories, not regrets.”
Mr Smalpage said parents have an important role to play both in the lead up to, and during Leavers week.
“We know that there will be many Leavers that will consider drinking alcohol or using illicit drugs for the first time, and parents need to be on the front foot and have the important discussion about the dangers associated with such activity,” Mr Smalpage said.
“I discourage parents from providing alcohol and drugs to their children, which we have witnessed in previous years, and anyone caught doing so will be investigated and prosecuted.
“I also encourage parents to keep in touch with their son or daughter during the week and to make sure they are ok. I don’t believe any parent would want to receive a call from one of my officers advising them their son or daughter has been arrested or seriously injured.
Many of the Leavers heading to the South West are inexperienced drivers and they are urged to take care on the road.
Most importantly they should avoid distractions and focus on their driving.