Tom Kitt
Ceist:64 Mr. T. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to deal with the problem of under-age drinking.
Written Answers. - Under-Age Drinking.
As Minister for Health I am concerned that all young people should be in a position to make informed decisions about alcohol.
The influences and pressures on young people to start drinking are very strong. This is why I recently launched two national alcohol education initiatives for young people, aimed at encouraging them not to drink before they reach the legal age limit, and to assist them to make informed decisions on whether they should drink at all in their teenage years, and, further, if they decide to drink, then they will do so in a moderate and responsible fashion which will not endanger their health or well-being or that of others.
The drink awareness for youth programme aims to inform and educate young people about alcohol and the dangers associated with its abuse. It is a prevention programme that seeks to equip young people with the personal and social skills necessary to make responsible decisions regarding their use of alcohol. This is a joint initiative between the Department's health promotion unit, the National Youth Council and the Department of Education. The drink awareness for youth programme is primarily for use in youth settings, and has been completed following its very successful piloting in various youth settings throughout the country. The programme can also be used in schools. A nation-wide training programme for youth leaders is now underway.
I also recently launched an alcohol education video titled "Handle with Care" which was produced by the health promotion unit, in conjunction with the Catholic Communications Institute and Veritas Video Productions. The video is aimed at ten to 15 year olds and includes a comprehensive teacher's guide for use in school. This will be a very useful way of getting the message across to young people before they actually drink alcohol. It is not about not drinking alcohol. It is, as the title suggests, about handling alcohol with care. Both of the alcohol education initiatives were made possible by generous financial assistance from the national lottery.
A more broadly based community programme entitled "Drug Questions — Local Answers" has also been developed by the health promotion unit to promote a community response to drug problems. It brings together health and educational professionals and interested voluntary workers, in their local communities, and places particular emphasis on problems posed by alcohol abuse. To date approximately 450 persons have participated in the course throughout the country and the response to its content has been very positive.
Other materials on alcohol education are also available from the health promotion unit of my Department. A series of booklets focus on the problem of under age drinking — one for young people, one for parents, and one for youth leaders. Additional materials cover specific issues such as guidelines towards the assessment of an individual's drinking habits, and women and alcohol.
The underlying philosophy of any of these programmes is that drug/alcohol education is not only about drugs and alcohol, but also about people. Thus while young people need accurate information about alcohol, this alone is not sufficient to ensure responsible behaviour. Information must be backed up by assistance in the development of skills in relation to alcohol use, e.g., the enhancement of self-esteem and responsible decision making. Young people need also to examine attitudes to alcohol use — both their own as individuals and the attitudes of the community in which they live. Such programmes on alcohol education can, however, only supplement the education which young people are receiving in their own homes, and it is important that parents should give them every support in this area.
The particular focus of my Department's strategy on under age drinking is in the educational setting, both in formal and informal settings. However, a much broader focus is required to tackle the problem of alcohol use and abuse among young people and within the community generally. Measures necessary to address the problem are multi-factorial and are encompassed within the remit of a number of Government Departments and statutory and voluntary agencies. In pursuance of a broadly based policy on alcohol, its use and abuse, the Government decided that the Advisory Council on Health Promotion should develop such a policy which will address broader economic, social, cultural and health factors which impinge on alcohol use, including the problem of under age drinking. The council's preparation of a policy is under way and I know that they will pursue their task in a balanced and professional manner.