The unwarranted consumption of alcohol is becoming a dilemma on a worldwide scale, resulting in countless social problems affecting all walks of life. In northern Ireland the Chief Medical Officer – Dr Michael McBride has identified the extensive use of alcohol amid the younger generation. In Northern Ireland children as young as 11 are consuming alcohol and by the age of 16 it is thought four out of five teenagers will have had an alcoholic drink of some type. Dr McBride hints that the basis behind so many young people are turning to drink in Northern Ireland is to enhance their social and sexual confidence and requests better awareness of the harm that alcohol can do.
Regrettably extreme consumption of alcohol among teenagers is having a adverse effect on communities across Northern Ireland mainly within urban areas. In 2 years child crime has risen by roughly 20% mainly fueled by alcoholic consumption among children as young as seven. In contrast, burglary, vehicle crime and criminal damage have seen modest rises whereas alcohol-related offences have increased by as much as a third.
In Northern Ireland The Garda youth diversion programme has been put in place to lessen this anti social behavior with some degree of success. Children suspected of crimes
under this system are given the option to redeem themselves by compensating or apologizing to victims. Around 60-70% of the children have not re-offended within the first year after being accepted into this scheme.
Obviously these problems are not limited to Northern Ireland and around the globe countries are taking their own steps to combat the social effects of alcohol-related incidents.
In recent years millions have been invested on an yearly basis by drink companies in Kenya on measures to fight alcohol abuse, underage drinking and drink driving. Sales in of alcoholic beverages have increased rapidly and these companies have invested a great deal of time in projects to try and decrease the sometimes negative effect. Advertising, warnings on bottle labels and bartender training are just some of the methods that have been put into action.
The National Alcohol Beverages Association of Kenya (Nabak) working beside The Pubs Entertainment Association of Kenya (Perak) have been guiding the drinking habits of Kenyans by supporting alcohol selling outlets to promote sensible drinking. The results have been very positive resulting in a significant downward trend in underage drinking as a result of recent campaigns.
Other countries are using other techniques in their battle to combat alcohol abuse. Australia has introduced restrictions in its Northern Territory, and in some towns photo identification must be shown when purchasing alcoholic drinks. These new measures have not gone down well with everyone and some publicans have been subjected to insults, but generally the belief amongst retailers is that this is a positive move in the battle against the increasing social problems related with alcohol.
Amy is a freelance journalist writing about The Drink Shop at eComparison.
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