Keeping Your Child Safe: Alcohol

1
Keeping Your Child SafeAlcohol
Alcohol
2
Its ok for my child to have to the occasional
drink of alcohol. I just dont want them using
drugs
Alcohol is a drug
Alcohol
3
Areas for concern
Crime Criminal damage and anti social behaviour
caused by young people under the influence of
alcohol Health Admission to AE, mental and
physical development during childhood and
adolescents. Sexual Health/Teenage Pregnancy
Young people having sex whilst under the
influence of alcohol Adults Buying alcohol for
young people Parents Unaware of the strength of
some alcoholic drinks
Alcohol
4
National Data

• 54 of 15-16 year olds having drunk more than 5
  drinks on a single occasion in the last 30 days
  (Hibell 2004).
• 87 of 11-15 year olds who had tried to purchase
  alcohol at a pub or bar were successful as were
  73 who tried to buy from a shop. (Bates et al.,
  2005)
• In England in 2006/07 almost 8,000 children
  (3,617 boys, 4,266 girls) aged under 18 were
  admitted to hospital for conditions directly
  related to alcohol (NWPHO)

Alcohol
5
Have you had an alcoholic drink in the week
before the survey?
45
20
13
Primary
Year 8
Year 10
Alcohol
6
Local data

• Primary Schools
• 13 said they had at least one alcoholic drink
  (more than just a sip) in the last seven days.
• 45 of primary pupils don't drink alcohol.
• 15 of pupils reported that they drink alcohol
  without their parents knowing at least sometimes.
• 85 of pupils reported that their parents always
  knew if they drank alcohol.

Alcohol
7
Local data

• Secondary Schools
• 20 of year 8 pupils reported they had an
  alcoholic drink in the last seven days before the
  survey.
• 45 of year 10 pupils reported they drank alcohol
  in the last 7 days. This remains consistent with
  45 reported in 2006 and a fall from 49 reported
  in 2004.
• 21 of females and 17 of males from year 10
  pupils had drank alcohol outside in a public
  place (street, park, etc) in the last 7 days.
• 11 of year 10 pupils stated that their parents
  never knew if they were drinking compared with 8
  of year 8 pupils.

Alcohol
8
Adverse consequences of drinking alcohol for
children and young people
Appetite changes Weight loss Sleep
disturbance Vomiting and coma (most common) Liver
disease Eczema Headaches
Road traffic accidents Depression Performance at
school/work Aggressive behaviour High risk sexual
behaviour
Sustain an injury, often as a result of an
assault Vulnerable to being the victims of
crime Subtle brain damage and long lasting
cognitive deficits
(based on Newbury-Birch et al. 2008)
Alcohol
9
Should I let my child drink?
An alcohol-free childhood is the healthiest and
best option. However, if children drink alcohol,
it should not be until at least the age of 15
years. Drinking alcohol, even at the age 15 or
older, can be hazardous to health. If 15 to 17
year olds do consume alcohol, they should do so
infrequently and certainly no more than one day a
week. (Chief Medical Officer, 2009)
Alcohol
10
Know your limits?
Young people aged 15 to 17 years should never
exceed recommended adult daily limits. On days
when they do drink, consumption should usually be
below such levels and should always be with the
guidance of a parent or carer or in a supervised
environment.
(Chief Medical Officer, 2009)
2 to 3 units per day for a women
3 to 4 units per day for a man
Alcohol
11

• 1.5 litre bottle of Lambrini (7.5ABV) 11.25
  units
• 1 pint of Stella Artois (5.2 ABV) 2.95
  units
• 1 large glass of white/red wine (250ml, 13ABV)
  3.25 units
• 1 bottle of Budwiser (330ml ,5ABV) 1.65 units
• 1 large single glass of Jack Daniels
  (35ml,40ABV) 1.4 units
• WKD (275ml,5 ABV) 1.38 units
• 1 large single glass of Vodka (35ml,40 ABV)
  1.4 units

Alcohol
12
In the UK, children aged 11-17 years drink
around 17.2 million units of alcohol every week.
That is the equivalent of 6.9 million pints of
beer or 1.7 million bottles of wine.
Alcohol
13
For more information on units of alcohol visit
Alcohol
14
Should I let my child drink?
Its up to you to decide whether your child is
allowed to drink and if so how much. But..
Educate and inform Make sure your children
understand the positive and negative sides
associated with alcohol. Make sure you know how
strong different drinks and brands are.
Challenge stereotypes Show your children that its
possible to enjoy yourself without drinking. Its
OK not to drink!

• Lead by example How exposed are your children to
  alcohol- fuelled situations, environments and
  behaviour?

Set clear boundaries Establish what is acceptable
regarding alcohol consumption and/or behaviour
and stick to it.

• Encourage Positive Alternatives Encourage your
  children to pursue positive social interests e.g.
  organised youth activities.

15
Talking about alcohol

• Potential dangers - from health to safety
• Not all young people drink
• How they may feel or what they may do under
  pressure
• Alcohol can influence people's judgment
• How it might feel to regret something the next
  day
• Alcohol affects people in different ways
• Alcohol can make some people aggressive
• Keeping safe and walking away from trouble
• What to do in an emergency
• Your own attitudes to alcohol

Taken from www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Alcohol
16
If you fear your child is drinking a lot
Try not too panic. Ensure you have support for
yourself as well as your child. Accusing,
arguing or threatening won't help. Wait until
you are calm and they are sober, before talking
about your concerns. Encourage them to tell you
what's happening. Don't expect instant results.
Drinking may be covering up other problems.
Alcohol
17
Emergency Situations
Try to keep the young person sitting up or put
them in the recovery position. Stay with
them. If they lose consciousness (e.g. they
dont wake up, respond to their name) call 999
immediately.
Recovery position
Alcohol
18

• Local and national help and support
• Parentline Plus 0808 800 22 22
• Parental Drug Awareness Service (PDAS) 01707 393
  934
• A-DASH (Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Service)
  01923 427 28
• For information on Parenting and Family Support
  Programmes in Hertfordshire www.hertsdirect.org
• For more information on other local alcohol
  services in Hertfordshire please contact
  Drinkline on 0800 917 8282

Alcohol