Policy responses and statements
Background: The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families has launched a consultation on alcohol guidance, advice and information for parents, children, young people. We would welcome the views of children, young people, parents, carers and those organisations and professionals working with young people in health, children’s services and education settings. Over the last few years, the way that young people drink has been changing and we are beginning to learn more about the risks associated with children, young people and alcohol – that it impairs their well-being, puts them at a number of immediate risks, and can impact on their health and future prospects. Although fewer children and young people are choosing to drink at all, those that do are drinking more, more often, and starting at a younger age. The most common drinks that young people now consume are those that are cheaper and higher in alcohol content, such as spirits and alcopops. More young people are drinking outside in public places, such as parks and the high street. This type of unsupervised drinking is clearly linked with putting young people at immediate risk of ending up in hospital, having unsafe sex, being injured or getting involved in violent crime or anti-social behaviour. Young people are harming themselves in the long term by drinking too much too often, and this is becoming ‘the norm’ among some groups, such as the 15% of 11−15-year-olds who usually drink at least once a week. They are putting themselves at a greater risk of liver damage, problems with brain development and memory, and depression. This is a serious issue, with more than 10,000 young people every year ending up in hospital due to drinking, as a result of acute alcohol poisoning or an alcohol-related accident. The Government wants to reduce the damage that young people, families and the community experience as a result of youth drinking, which is why it launched the Youth Alcohol Action Plan last year to stop the problem of young people drinking in public places, and to work in partnership with the alcohol retail industry to continue to tackle instances of underage sales. In order to help young people to make sensible decision about drinking, and to support parents to protect their children from the harms associated with early alcohol use, the Government asked the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to produce clear health Guidance. This work has been done and we are supporting this with Advice and Information to help parents and young people to understand and use the Guidance. This consultation is based on two documents that are aimed at reaching all parents, children and young people under 18 as well as health, education and children’s services professionals:
Download this consultation response as a .pdf
Copies of this response are available from: Lesley Lockhart, Tel: 0131 225 7324 ext 608 [23 April 2009]
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