Last month saw the government launching their ‘Why let drink decide?’ campaign to raise awareness of the potential consequences of drinking alcohol. It also encourages parents and adults to talk opening with children about alcohol, the effects of alcohol and issues surrounding it.
Three quarters of 11 to 15 year-olds say they would like parents to discuss alcohol with them, it is thought that children would understand the risks of alcohol better if the information was made available to them before they begin experimenting. There are many health risks associated with drinking alcohol, the most well known being liver disease, cancers of the mouth, liver and breast, depression, anxiety and infertility. There is also the more immediate consequence of putting your personal safety at risk by having one night stands, losing your belongings and not remembering the night when you wake up in the morning. The government’s advice for teens is:
- Don’t drink alcohol before you’re 15 – it can interfere with the way your body develops.
- The healthiest option is to stay alcohol-free until you’re 18.
- If you’re drinking make sure there’s a responsible adult present.
- Only drink every now and again – and certainly don’t do it more than once a week.
- Never consume more than the recommended daily number of units for adults (which is 3–4 units a day for men and 2–3 units a day for women).
For more information on the Why let drink decide campaign visit whyletdrinkdecide.direct.gov.uk.
If you need more information of alcohol and the effects of alcohol visit www.drinkaware.co.uk, Know Your Limits or www.alcoholconcern.org.uk.
All statistics extracted and compiled from whyletdrinkdecide.direct.gov.uk and www.drinkaware.co.uk.
