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Program Updates |
Alcohol Policy Network
Alcohol and Youth Trends: Implications for Public Health
A recent survey of over 1,000 teenagers and 550 parents reaffirmed that teenagers who ate dinner as a family, five or more times a week, were less likely to use drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol than peers who ate with their families twice a week or less.
These results coincide with findings from a report released this month through the Alcohol Policy Network, and available for download after November 1st. Alcohol and Youth Trends: Implications for Public Health states that children and youth who have open communication with their parents and receive consistent rules and enforcement are less likely to engage in delinquent behaviour, including alcohol use and misuse.
The effects of a positive family environment on drinking choices is just one focus of the report which also looks at factors such as peer influence, community and school influence, availability and access to alcohol, attractive advertising and promotion, mental health issues, and socio-economic status. These factors are analyzed using the latest research to help address a seemingly simple, yet complex topic — why some youth drink and some don't.
The report also looks at trends in Canada and Ontario including age of onset and gender differences, while outlining some of the consequences experienced through underage drinking including intentional (violence, suicide) and unintentional (motor vehicle crashes, physical illness, depression) harms.
"This paper calls for an increased focus on supporting youths' educational and career goals, individual resiliency, and positive relationships between their peers, parents and teachers," says Rebecca Fortin, lead author of the report. "In order for solutions to be creative, innovative and ultimately more effective, interventions must be tailored to the differing needs in this vastly diverse population we call 'youth'," concludes Fortin.
Alcohol and Youth Trends: Implications for Public Health incorporates feedback from experts in public health and the substance abuse prevention field while confirming study data through youth key informants. The comprehensive report concludes with sound recommendations for everyday public health practice.
"Targeting the underlying risk and protective factors associated with substance abuse has the potential to reduce other negative behaviour, including criminal and violent behaviour", said CCSA's Chief Executive Officer, Michel Perron. The CCSA report, Substance Abuse in Canada: Youth in Focus can be downloaded from their website, under "New and Interesting".
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