This week Children’s Express Foyle Bureau reporter David Hunter tells us where he thinks the blame lies when it comes to underage drinking.
St Patrick’s Day is one of the many annual festivals popular with underage drinkers as alcohol is easily available. With the recent parades across Ireland and the UK the police and local hospitals were under a lot of stress, coping with the soaring numbers of illegal drinkers. But what are the effects on young people as a result of this problem? Who is to blame?
Many people feel the responsibility should be held by the young people who are drinking under the age limit. As a young teenager myself, I realise the pressure on today’s youth is massive. I know a lot of young people are influenced into becoming drinkers by their peers, but there must be someone else who plays a role.
I have also noticed that advertising companies of alcohol direct their products at younger people, often making the link that drinking alcohol will make you cool. Very often these companies will use attractive actors to promote their drink along with a catchy phrase, for example, “Have you got a ‘WKD’ side?” This increases the pressure on young people to drink as it falsely makes them believe this is how to be socially acceptable. Although I am a teenager who doesn’t drink I know the temptation is strong, but what can be done?
Recently there have been calls on the government to consider changing the legal drinking age from 18 to 21. However surely instead of increasing the legal age limit (also increasing the number of underage drinkers) they should consider lowering it. This would take away the thrill from the risk of getting caught, and so make underage drinking less appealing.
The fashionable underage drinking problem has to be blamed on the advertising companies and the peer pressure that exists amongst young people today.
What do you think?
About the team
This story was writen by David Hunter, 15 and edited by Rebecca Burns. It was published by Reach for the Sky website.
