Raising the legal drinking age by one year is ‘definitely a step in the right direction’, but according to the National Agency for Drug and Alcohol Dependency, Sedqa, more can be done to address the issue of underage drinking. Rosalie Vella Piscopo on the need to eliminate booze from youth culture. Interview by Raphael Vassallo
Does Sedqa agree with establishing the legal age limit for drinking alcohol at 17 (i.e. one year older than the previous age limit)? Agenzija Sedqa believes that this is definitely a step in the right direction, especially since it has been less than two years that the minimum consumption was set for the first time. Yet we look forward to the day when Malta comes in line with the majority of the other EU states, which have the minimum consumption age set at 18 years.
Sedqa has been recommending several set standards and practices for a number of years, which apart from the setting of the minimum consumption age, also include:
1 lowering the blood alcohol content permissible for drinking and driving from 80 to at least 50 mgs/dec;
2 total police discretion for random testing of breathalyser tests;
3 increasing taxation on alcohol products;
4 significant restrictions on alcohol advertising and promotion on print media; and
5 the introduction of warning labels on alcoholic bottles, similar to those on cigarettes packets.
Young people would still be developing both physically and emotionally, and alcohol causes them more harmful effects than it does to adults. Sedqa advocates that any new measure adopted, which in this case is the banning of consumption and purchasing of alcohol by under 17s, is enforced. Furthermore, Sedqa emphasizes the importance of educating the parents in taking up their responsibility when it comes to alcohol consumption by their children as from an early age.
It is now possible to apply to MTA for a permit for a one-off party for under 17-year-olds, provided no alcohol is available over the counter. One such party is currently being advertised at Axis discotheque. What are Sedqa’s views on this arrangement? While Agenzija Sedqa emphasises that young people should stay away from alcohol consumption, as well as promotes and holds courses in preparation of ‘mocktails’ (alcohol-free cocktails) as an alternative drink, the Agency reiterates that alternative leisure activities for young people – especially in the case where they are as young as 12 years old – should not take place in an environment associated with partying and in a setting which clearly shows that alcohol is usually served.
On the other hand, Sedqa is not against parties and such forms of entertainment as such but against the individuals’ behaviour in relation to the excessive consumption of alchohol and use of other illicit substance during such parties and even private parties, including private ones to that matter.
Is Sedqa satisfied with existing facilities for young teenagers? Is there a lack of entertainment targeting this age-group, which may possibly push them to experiment with alcohol at a young age in the first place? The Agency states that attractive alternative leisure activities, such as sports, should be promoted and supported so that young people are encouraged to engage in and / or organize together with their peers. Such initiates would promote a positive approach towards life that will help young people have fun in a healthy environment while creating further awareness of the positive aspect of life. Although more facilities have been made available in the past few years, there should always be innovative measures taken to ensure that young people adopt such alternatives as part of their lifestyle. Sedqa also believes that it is essential for young people to utilize their free time in an appropriate manner as they would benefit on a personal level and also leave a positive effect on society.
People who start experimenting with substances at a young age are usually driven to such lifestyle for various reasons: personal issues, peer pressure (especially when the young person’s friends are of an older age-group), having a difficult family situation and the inability to deal with them on a personal level, and the acceptance of such lifestyle within their own environment.
The ESPAD 2003 study results show that on the last drinking occasion, students most frequently reported drinking “in a disco” (32%), “at home” (21%) and/or “at a bar or pub’ (14%). From the ESPAD 2007, respondents reported that as a direct result of alcohol abuse, they started doing badly at school, had problems in the relationship with their parents and friends, experienced violent incidents, had accidents and had unwanted sexual relationships.
In the ESPAD survey for 2007, Malta placed third after the Isle of Man and Denmark in the category ‘Percentage of teenagers who said they had had five or more drinks at one time over the previous 30 days’. Do you think enough is being done (at various levels: State, school, parents, nightclub owners, etc) to address the issue of underage drinking?
Sedqa is concerned with such findings; however, the major concern is not the lack of awareness of the technical knowledge of measuring consumption but the actual widespread abuse of binge drinking as well as drinking and driving. In fact Sedqa, in all its alcohol-related campaigns, has always emphasised the message that anyone who drinks alcohol should not drive. However the real impact of behavioural change will not come about by campaigns alone.
Sedqa’s message is that there should be a more concerted effort by all stakeholders, including parents, educators and the industry alike, to make young people aware of the potential negative outcomes prior to them embarking on excessive alcohol drinking. All entities should work together to assist all sections of the community, in particular young people, to develop understanding, attitudes and ultimately behaviour, thus enabling them to minimise, and if possible avoid, alcohol-related harm.
The ESPAD 2007 results vis-à-vis what is considered as binge drinking, is also reiterated in another national study carried out in 2006 by Sedqa (in collaboration with the National Commission on the Abuse of Drugs, Alcohol and Other Dependencies and the National Focal Point for Drugs and Drug Addiction) – the Lifestyle Survey – amongst students in post-secondary and tertiary education in Malta. Results of this study show that alcohol was the most commonly used substance amongst students, with respondents, aged between 18 and 24 years, reporting that:
• 96% had consumed alcohol during their lifetime;
• 33% binge drink weekly (in this study defined as consuming 6 glasses of an alcoholic drink on the same occasion);
• Amongst students who had used alcohol, 67% reported that they had first drunk an alcoholic beverage before the age of 16.
The responsibility towards young people is everyone’s: the parents, who should listen more to their children, know who their friends are, and put more emphasis on commuication while committing themselves to spending more quality time with the family; the educators, who should be there to guide young people to build a strong character, develop decision-making skills and empower them further to respect themselves; entities’ and NGOs’,which should offer alternative leisure activities and facilities where young people can spend their free time in a safe environment, away from the perils of substance abuse
For further details about Agenzija Sedqa and its services, one may log on www.sedqa.gov.mt. Sedqa is part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, which also incorporates Agenzija Appogg (www.appogg.gov.mt) and Agenzija Sapport
(www.sapport.gov.mt)
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