Reacting to the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance on the consumption of alcohol by children and young people, Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware, says:
“The drinking culture in the UK is entrenched and many young people see drinking alcohol as a rite of passage, so this guidance from the Chief Medical Officer is extremely useful. It’s imperative that from an early age, we start to educate children and young people about the dangers of alcohol misuse.
“Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s attitudes towards alcohol, often without even realising it. Children need to know the facts and parents are in the best position to give them information – research shows that half of 16 and 17 year olds listen to their parents about alcohol. In the same way that parents teach children about fire safety or safe sex, parents should not shy away from educating their children about the effects alcohol misuse can have.
“It can be very difficult for parents to know how and when to talk to their children about alcohol, but with the right support and advice, it can hopefully seem less daunting.”
Drinkaware tips for parents include:
• Be a positive role model – adults should drink within the daily recommended guidelines (3-4 units a day for men, 2-3 for women)
• Introduce the topic early – the average age for young people to have their first alcoholic drink is 13.
• Don’t make alcohol a taboo subject – ensure your child can talk freely with you about alcohol. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, soap operas or news stories can provide a useful trigger.
• If your child does get drunk try not to overreact – talk to them about it the next morning: listen to what they have to say and try to understand their situation.
Drinkaware