Sensible Drinking

Teenagers are dying for a drink

On the evening of Monday, July 6 Paddy Higgins, Surrey, enjoyed an evening with friends at a restaurant in Newquay, the party capital of the Southwest. He celebrated the end of his exams and was undoubtedly looking forward to the summer holidays relaxing. A few hours later, he lay at the foot of cliffs on the beach at Tolcarne city.

Paddy was only 16 years and he had completed the examinations were GCSEs. That night, despite being minors, he was able to buy beer Corona and Sambucca without having to present identification. Just a few weeks earlier, 18 years, Andrew Curwell, Lancashire, was also found dead at the foot of cliffs at Newquay, after a night in the city.

Campaigns are underway to prevent alcohol sales to minors of people in Newquay, but with false identification so easy to buy on the Internet, local police and victims' families face a daunting task.

Disturbing trends

Newquay: scene of the double tragedy

These recent events are a tragic example of the culture of binge drinking among teenagers worsening in Great Britain. Last week, the NHS Information Survey on Drug Use, Smoking and drinking among young people has revealed that although the number of teenagers drinking has fallen, those who do drink are drinking more. In fact, the amount of alcohol that British teenagers drink has doubled since the early 1990s.

Don Shenker, Alcohol Concern director general, spoke exclusively to Tom Brown.com: "Teenagers drink a period of two more units per week on average, taking their consumption to 14 to 16 units each. That's a lot considering the limit for adult women per week is 14 units - and those 11 to 15 years.

"Their bodies are not developed yet - they are still growing and their organs are developing. In addition, reasonable consumption habits could not have been learned yet. Another interesting trend is that girls have overtaken boys in all areas, and are equally likely to engage in binge drinking, "he comments.

Teens in rehab

The National Treatment Agency has published statistics showing the number of people under 18 receiving rehabilitative treatment for alcohol problems and dependence has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2006, there were 4781 less than 18 years in treatment programs for alcohol dependence. In 2007 this figure rose to 6707.

"These figures are only the tip of the iceberg," said Don Shenker, "They do not count young people who are not in rehab, which could receive advice or adolescents whose problems have not been collected.

Influenced

Many mid-teens to drink excessThe NHS recent report also revealed that students are three times more likely to drink alcohol if they live with other drinkers. The percentage of children aged 11-15 years who drank alcohol in the week preceding the survey was five percent in households non-drinking, increasing to 31 percent in households with at least three other people who drank alcohol.

The following Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson's statement earlier this year that children should never be given alcohol at home, despite the fact that it is legal for children aged over five to give liquor by their parents.

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance, reveals other disturbing trends: "There is some evidence that young people who taste it early are more likely to become dependent alcohol end of life. We must not lose sight of the fact.