Schoolies Problems:
Alcohol - Widely considered a week long alcohol binge, schoolies week is most criticized for excessive drinking and problems that flow from this. In 1995, 75% of male schoolies and 53% of female schoolies report being drink most or every day or night of Schoolies Week (see below: Research, and Diversionary Programs).
More recently laws have been changed at a Federal level increasing the tax on pre-mixed spirits, and at a state level in Queensland to focus on parents supplying alcohol to their children in an irresponsible way.
Fines issued by Police related to alcohol laws have raised considerable funds for state governments, particularly at Gold Coast Schoolies year over year the policing of these offences has increased and the revenue has increased proportionally.
Drugs - The availability of drugs at Schoolies Week is widespread. In 1995 25% of male schoolies and 14% of females reported being stoned most or every day or night of Schoolies Week (see below: Research, and Diversionary Programs). Marijuana and Ecstasy are the most commonly used drugs at Schoolies Week.
At Gold Coast Schoolies 2007, drugs were cheaper and more widely accessible without consequence from Police than alcohol.
Violence - Schoolies has been long known for its violence, media reporting has focused on schoolies violence and in the mid nineties there were incidents where news crews handed out money for schoolies to initiate violence so they could film schoolies violence for the evening news.
The most violent schoolies was in 2002 at the Gold Coast. Police were under-resourced as several violent clashes occurred involving groups of people every night that week. In subsequent years with Police numbers significantly increased and innovative approaches developed violence has continued, but Police have rapidly engaged and resolved violence.
All schoolies destinations are more heavily policed since and at a number of destinations have engaged private security guards to assist.
The most significant statistic regarding violence at schoolies over the past few decades has placed the blame more so in the hands of toolies than schoolies themselves.
Sexual Health - Unprotected sex is common at Schoolies as it is in many cases opportunistic casual sex. Sex in public places such as on Surfers Paradise beach is common place. Sale of the morning after pill are significantly higher during Schoolies Week.
Sexual Assault - Gold Coast Schoolies has the worst track record with sexual assault as it is famously the largest Schoolies destination, and attracts older predators.
When the Queensland state government took over the management of Schoolies at the Gold Coast in 2003 from the Gold Coast City Council, after the most violent Schoolies Week in 2002: their primary concern was public perceptions of Schoolies Week.
Social Worker Dominic Mapstone of the National Schoolies Website made public via the media that a number of rapes had occurred at Schoolies despite government efforts to deny these facts.
In recent years, Queensland Police have been much more open about sexual assaults at Schoolies Week.
Drink Spiking - Over the past several years, drink spiking has been a significant problem at Gold Coast Schoolies Week.
Property Damage - Damage to hotel rooms has occurred, as well as vandalism to other private and public property.
Community Impact - The significant number of schoolies at tourist destinations in some cases 'taking over the town' has caused other potential tourists to avoid Australian destinations during Schoolies Week dates.
Local tourist focused businesses catering to traditional tourists have complained of Schoolies only spending their tourist dollars at limited outlets.
However the history of Schoolies reveals that Schoolies Week was a non-peak tourist slot that was otherwise a down time for tourism.
Gold Coast locals generally avoid the tourist hub in peak times, Schoolies has been criticized as local community members completely avoid the Schoolies precinct wherever possible.
A familiar tone has rung at many destinations Schoolies dominate in, questioning the benefit and community impact of Schoolies Week.
Other community impact issues surrounding Schoolies Week include noise, litter, vandalism and damage to hotel and other property.
Cults and Evangelists - Evangelist groups are drawn to the large assembly of young 'sinners' and they regularly harass schoolies.
Suicide and other deaths - There has been approximately one schoolies related death each year over the past decade. In some cases balcony falls.