Better Outcomes,
Brighter Futures
‘Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures
2014 - 2020 - the National Policy
Framework for Children aims to
promote children’s health and
wellbeing and protect them from
harm.
One area where children require our
protection and support is in relation
to alcohol.
Children and young people are
advised not to drink alcohol before
the age of 18. But why?
1. Their brain is under ‘construction’
and is affected differently by
alcohol than the adult brain.
2. The parts of the brain used for
learning, remembering and
problem solving are all impacted
by alcohol use. Effects can be
lasting.
3. The teenage brain is more
susceptible to becoming addicted
to alcohol.
4. Teenagers who drink alcohol
before the age of fifteen are five
times more likely to become
dependent on alcohol.
Therefore, the age at
which young people start
drinking should be
delayed for as long as
possible.
BellTIME
Why is it so important for young people
to learn about the risks of alcohol?
KNOW THE RISKS
Short term risks:
o Increased risk-taking
o Nausea and vomiting
o Anti-social behaviour, like
vandalism and fighting
o Accidents and injuries and
poisoning
o Risky sexual behaviour
o Getting in trouble with the
authorities
o Doing badly at school due to poor
concentration
o Problems with family and friends
o Psychological distress
o Self-harm and suicide
Although underage drinking has always
happened – alcohol is now cheaper and
more available than ever and is often
associated with things teenagers enjoy
such as sport, music and fashion.
Dr Bobby Smyth, HSE Child and
Adolescent Psychiatrist says "Young
people are now routinely starting to
drink at the age of 14 - a couple of
years younger than the generation
before them. All society has a role in
supporting young people to avoid
alcohol for as long as possible.
Delaying the onset of drinking will have
a positive effect on their short term
and long term physical and mental
health. The impact cannot be
underestimated.”
Longer term risks:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Relationship difficulties
Increasing anxiety & depression
Isolation
Memory problems
Falling behind in school
Cancer, high blood pressure, heart
disease and liver damage
o Alcohol dependence
Time to bust the myths:
Many people are under a false
assumption that alcohol is in some way
preferable to drugs – this is a myth.
Both are psychoactive substances – one
is legal and the other is not. With
older teenagers alcohol and drugs are
frequently taken together. With younger
teenagers, dabbling in early drinking is
a predictor of drug taking. Most
children are sensible – but their
difficulties processing alcohol means
they take risks when drunk which they
wouldn’t normally take.
Now, more than ever, it is time for
young people to Ask About Alcohol.
So how can we support young people?
As an educator, you are a key influencer
and can support young people to find
out more about the risks of alcohol and
the benefits to avoiding alcohol for as
long as possible.
It is interesting to note that recent
studies indicate that a growing number
of children are choosing not to drink
alcohol.
You may have recently heard thought-
provoking radio and online advertising
from the HSE campaign
www.askaboutalcohol.ie. The website
has plenty of interesting facts, advice
and you can feel safe that it is a
trustworthy source from experts.
This website, along with drugs.ie, can
also be used as a resource for students
who are undertaking projects on
alcohol or drugs, to familiarise
themselves with the breadth of health
information available.
35