Press Release - Irish Teenagers Drunkenness Rate
Monday 26th January, 2009
Irish teenagers rank high in drunkenness rate; parents have role in tackling problem – Aislinn Centre
Irish teenagers are found to rank second-highest in a level of drunkenness when compared to international countries. This is according to figures contained in the State of the Nation’s Children report that found 29% of 15 year olds in Ireland claim to have been drunk at least once in the last month. Declan Jones, Director of the Aislinn Foundation, a drug-free rehabilitation centre for adolescents aged between 15 and 21 who are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs, is urging parents to wake up to the issue of drunkenness among young teenagers.
“This report shows demonstrates the fact that there is a very real problem with alcohol consumption among teenagers. Young people are consuming lethal amounts of alcohol on a regular basis. Parents must take responsibility for the fact that their drinking habits hugely influence those of their children.”
“I am calling on parents to wake up to this harrowing reality. Often parents give mixed messages to young people by allowing them to have a glass of wine with a meal and then tend to polish off the bottle themselves. This can teach young people that over-consumption is acceptable.”
The Aislinn Foundation is the only drug-free residential centre in the State providing residential treatment to young people who are dependent on alcohol and/ or drugs aged between 15 and 21.
“There is now international evidence to prove that alcohol is a gateway drug in countries like Ireland with a serious binge drinking problem. Young people are now spending more money on alcohol than on illicit drugs. We have to tackle this head on and it begins at home where young people generally encounter alcohol first.”
Aislinn provides a 42 day residential programme supported by a two-year after care programme which consists of two-hour weekly meetings. The Centre has an open referral policy and is based in Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny.
Author: Aislinn
Published on: January 26, 2009 at 3:47pm