NDC sends anti-alcohol message to young people

| 06/04/2010

(CNS): The use of alcohol by young people is a significant problem in the Cayman Islands the National Drug Council (NDC) has said as it launches a campaign to raise awareness about underage drinking during Alcohol Awareness Month. According to the Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey (CISDUS) in 2006 44% of those who reported drinking admitted having their first drink between the ages of 6 and 11. The survey also suggests that a third of middle school students get their alcohol from their own parents so the battle to beat under age drinking needs to start in the home.

As the campaign got under way Executive Director of the National Drug Council, Joan West-Dacres said that she is particularly concerned about young people when it comes to alcohol. “We have many fine young people, but when we see statistics showing: out of 2500 students between the ages of 11 and 16 more than 1000 admitted to drinking alcohol in the past year and more than 300 were involved in binge or heavy drinking episodes, this calls for action and support of everyone across the community,” she stated.
Calling on parents, elder brothers and sisters, and other adults to discourage young people from drinking West-Dacres said adults must set a good example in drinking habits.
“If you – adults – drink do so in moderation,” she added. The NDC boss saidthat alcohol can contribute to numerous problems with young people from underachievement at school and trouble at home to criminal activity.
Dacres explained that throughout this s month the NDC will be focusing the campaign on young people. There will be a distribution of brochures which focus on alcohol misuse, public service messages pointing to the dangers of drinking  — in particular drinking and driving– will be carried at Hollywood Theatres and on local radio stations that and the NDC will focus all its presentations during the month of April made to young people in the schools on dangers of drinking.
For further information, please contact the NDC at 949-9000, write to us at info.ndc.ky or visit us at www.ndc.ky
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Local News

About the Author ()

Comments (2)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

    Drinking is the only thing to do in Cayman

  2. Anonymous says:

    We have all sorts of Service Clubs, and various organization having fund raising events by selling liquor and beers etc in order to assist these youth in the community. Kind a dont make sense to me.