Young people and alcohol in Northern Ireland

Tuesday 23 February 10

A statistic about alcohol abuse reports that during the academic years from 2003/04 to 2007/08, 360 students were suspended from secondary schools in Northern Ireland.

The South Antrim MLA, Thomas Burns, said: "Alcohol abuse and binge drinking, particularly among young people, is an ever increasing problem in our society. It is quite shocking to learn this behaviour is not just restricted to town centres on Friday and Saturday nights, but has now made it into our schools as well.”

On a research about young people’s drinking, Victoria Creasy, Senior Manager for Public Health at the HPA, said: "We know from previous research that the average age for children in Northern Ireland to have their first drink is around 11, and that the majority of young people get their first alcoholic drink either from friends (45%) or parents (20%).”

This indicates there is both peer and parental influence on young people's initial experiences of drinking.

It seems like time and time again issues around alcohol misuses are directed towards young people –but surely many adults also drink too much? This may be another example of young people being branded a problem when in fact this is an issue for all our society?

In your experience is drinking a problem among young people?

What do young people report to be their patterns of alcohol use?

With regard to the impact on their lives and relationships, what do young people perceive to be the ‘problematic’ use of alcohol?

What interventions work best to prevent excessive use of alcohol?

Tell us your opinion on our forum!

From this weekend on the WIMPS crew will start to work a new video about the nightlife in Belfast. We will stay outside of the pubs in the city center to find out what young people think about this important issue.