Alcohol misuse: tackling the UK epidemic - London

3. Why do you think young people drink and why do you think some young people
misuse alcohol?
Drinking alcohol is perceived as cool and trendy in the UK, encouraged by the UK
media and celebrities. In many instances a lack of opportunities to channel
activities, particularly for children from a lower socio-economic class, is a major
contributing factor. The reasons for young people drinking are noted to be
complex and may primarily involve an aspiration to ‘be adult’, may reflect drinking
practices observed in the home, may arise as a result of unleashing tight parental
reigns upon leaving home, or boredom through a lack of activities for young
people.
Members highlighted a whole range of issues based on their experiences in
working with children and young people. These included:
Peer pressure - 'alcohol is fun & forbidden' and more because it's becoming
normal- people who don't drink are odd.
A way of coping with personal problems.
Poor family support and cohesion.
To make them feel more confident when they are drunk
Parents have problems with alcohol or drugs
Depressed and use alcohol to manage this
They think it makes them appear older / more worldly.
Alcohol is legal and cheap so they can purchase it with pocket money or it is
readily available within households.
4. What can be done to prevent young people's alcohol misuse and what ways
are there to encourage them to drink sensibly as adults? What initiatives are
you prioritising in your area?
Many members highlighted the importance of health education in schools, as well
as adverts on TV showing the detrimental effects of Alcohol. There is a need to
look very carefully at the mixed messages being given to young people. The
message the media often promotes is "if you drink you are sexy, grown up, witty
or funny, sophisticated, glamorous etc. Others emphasized the need to
increase the cost of alcohol in shops and to raise the legal drinking age to 21
years. Access to cheap alcohol is easy for young people. There has been a huge
issue about alco-pops encouraging young people to drink, but a bottle of vodka
can be bought for less than ten pounds and it can be shared by several people.
It was highlighted that there were insufficient school nurses to provide
adequate health promotion education and advice to children and young
people, as well as enabling the development of emotional resilience and the
ability to say ‘no’. A focus on early interventions and support mechanisms may
help young people to make healthier choices.
Some felt that there is lots of education and information given to young people
regarding alcohol but most think that they are indestructible and it only happens
to 'old people'. The need to ensure that there are more activities so groups of
young people aren't hanging around street corners or in parks was highlighted
by many. There is some evidence that peer mentorship schemes work and it
maybe that such schemes could promote ‘sensible’ drinking amongst young
people.
RCN London - 30 September 2008 2