Teenagers speak about binge drinking

Alcohol is considered by many experts to be the principal drug in teenagers.

Binge drinking is a dangerous trend that is considered an epidemic in Australia, yet, according to many teenagers, it is “the only way to have fun”.

Binge drinking is the act of drinking heavily over a period of time or drinking continuously over a number of days.

The controversial new definition by the Australian Medical Association defines “binging” as four standard drinks a night.

The majority of young adults often do not consider alcohol as a drug or particularly harmful.

“Most drink because they feel that they need to, to fit in and for social lubricant,” an 18-year-old female from Bega told the Bega District News this week.

“Many teenagers believe that they have to be drunk to have fun, we need more alcohol-free events to show them that you can have more fun sober.”

Short term binge drinking can result in indulgence in risky and dangerous behaviour, acute intoxication and memory loss, which occurs when the brain is too affected to form memories.

Long term binge drinking can cause severe damage in vital organs and has been linked with emotional disorders such as depression and loss of friends due to bad behaviour.

“A good percentage of criminal activities that occur in the Bega Valley occur under the influence of alcohol,” Bega Police Inspector Jason Edmunds said.

“Irresponsible drinking often leads to criminal offences.”

Although Australian alcohol laws are some of the strictest in western civilisation, Australia’s teenage drinking rates are one of the world’s highest.

The Federal Government has set aside $53 million towards an anti binge-drinking campaign and a new tax on alcopops (designer drinks) is designed to decrease the amount of alcohol consumed by teenagers.

However, according to a a 15-year-old female in Bega, “The tax is not going to stop binging because now teenagers will just buy a bottle of vodka and mix their own drinks and get even more smashed because they don’t know what level of alcohol they are drinking”.

Studies from the University of Melbourne have found that children who have childhood behavioural problems, different temperament and poor social skills are more prone to binge drinking as a teenager.

“Parents have the responsibility to educate their children about the responsible use of alcohol,” the 18-year-old female said.

“Keeping them in the dark will only socially stunt them.

“Forbidding a 16-year-old from drinking will not work, it is an unrealistic expectation, but forbidding a child under 16 is responsible parenting.”

As a teenager’s tolerance level to alcohol rises, the more alcohol they require to become intoxicated and the greater the inclination they have to binge.

“Using alcohol to relax is fine but when the level gets too high, people just get hurt,” a 15-year-old female said.

Peer pressure is the factor that causes teenagers to drink, in the majority of cases.

Curiosity and releasing of stress also impact on how much young adults are willing to drink.

“Some of the main reasons that teenagers binge drink are peer pressure, living in a isolated community, boredom and limited recreation; when the chance comes to drink they do so excessively,” local Juvenile Justice counsellor Henry Dodd said.

Insp Edmunds said that police have been targeting the responsible service of alcohol and the responsible consumption of alcohol.

“We are checking with owners of alcohol suppliers that they have the proper licence and that staffs comply with the government legislation,” he said.

Bega District News