Friday 19 March 2010
Research Into Our Final Idea
Underage Drinking
It is possible to drink legally and safely – when you're over 21. But if you're under 21, or if you drink too much at any age, alcohol can be especially risky.
Many children begin drinking as early as middle school or even sooner. This is dangerous. Kids who drink are more likely to be victims of violent crime and sexual assault. They are more likely to have serious problems in school. They are more likely to be involved in drinking-related traffic crashes. They are also more likely to develop problems with alcohol later in life.
Young teens often begin drinking to look "cool" or fit in with their peers. Parents can do many things to help their kids avoid alcohol problems. Get help for your child if you suspect a drinking problem.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/underagedrinking.html
A study, by the World Health Organisation, will show that more young people in Britain have been drunk at a young age than in most other developed countries.
The figures, published every couple of years and to be released on Wednesday, look at the intake of alcohol and drugs, and the sexual behaviour, of young teenagers in 41 countries across the world.
They are expected to show that Britain has the fourth highest levels of underage drinking among 15-year-olds.
The ranking is a slight improvement on the last publication of the report, in 2001, when Britain's teens were placed second behind only Denmark as the heaviest consumers of beer, wine, or spirits.
That study compared the number of 15-year-olds who admitted that they had been drunk at or before the age of 13.
Last month ministers announced new plans to target the problem, with a multi-million pound advertising campaign highlighting the dangers of underage binge drinking.
Official figures show that there has been a 37 per cent increase in the number of children being admitted to hospital because of alcohol since 2001.
In 2006-7 there were 8,072 cases, up from 5,885 in 2000-1, the figures, obtained by the Liberal Democrats show.
The WHO report is also expected to show that young people in Britain have among the highest cannabis use in the world.
British teens are also using more condoms than in previous years, the study, which concentrates on the behaviours of 11, 13 and 15-year-olds, will show, possibly as a result of safe sex messages.
Frank Soodeen, from Alcohol Concern, said that a radical change was needed to tackle a culture of underage binge drinking among Britain's young people.
He said: "The new WHO figures confirm what earlier studies have already established. British teenagers are simply some of the heaviest drinkers in Europe.
"While the new youth alcohol action plan shows that government is acutely aware of the problem, there are widespread concerns that it doesn't go to the heart of why teenagers are drinking heavily.
"Not only do many of these children grow up in challenging social environments but they are bombarded with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of advertising telling them that drinking is a completely natural, and safe part of life."
Scotland's ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) is set to announce plans to raise the age at which young people can buy alcohol in off licences and supermarkets from 18 to 21.
Although under-21s will still be able to drinks in pubs and clubs, the SNP believes that the move will have help to curb problem drinking among young people.
The Association of Chief Police Officers warned earlier this year that 50 per cent of young drinkers were getting alcohol from their parents.
The WHO plans to draw up a global strategy to tackle binge drinking among young people and other forms of harmful drinking, which it blames for 2.3 million deaths across the globe every year.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/2140278/Underage-drinking-in-Britain-among-worst-in-the-world.html
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