ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK: PARENTS WARNED TO TALK TO THIER CHILDREN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL
Parents are being warned of the importance of drinking alcohol responsibly and talking honestly with their children about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.
As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, which runs from 18th to 24th October, Buckinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team and partners will be out and about to spread the responsible drinking message and help parents talk to their children to make sure they develop safe and healthy attitudes to drinking.
The Chief Medical Officer for England and Wales advises that an alcohol-free childhood is best, because alcohol can affect a young person's brain development, causing lasting problems with memory, attention span and reaction times.
Parents are also advised to stick to responsible drinking limits themselves, as studies show that setting a safe example at home is the best thing parents can do to protect their children.
Bill Chapple, Deputy Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council, said: "Alcohol Awareness Week is an opportunity for us to highlight to parents the really important role they play in influencing their children's attitudes towards alcohol. By setting a good example and talking openly about drinking alcohol responsibly as well as the potential dangers of drinking too much, parents can demystify alcohol for their children and make sure they stay safe and healthy."
The guidelines:
The Government's recommended daily unit guidelines for adults are up to 2-3 units for women and up to 3-4 units for men. One unit is the equivalent of half a pint of 4% ABV beer, half a standard 175ml glass of 12% ABV red wine, or a single 25ml measure of 40% ABV spirits.
Guidelines issued by the Chief Medical Officer for England and Wales are that children shouldn't drink before they are 15 years old, and if 15 to 17 year olds do drink alcohol it should be infrequent and under adult supervision.
Research carried out by Drinkaware, the UK-wide alcohol charity, has found that over a third of 16 and 17 year olds would prefer to receive advice about alcohol from their parents. The top tips for parents to give young people if they are going to drink are:
- have something to eat before drinking alcohol
- drink plenty of water or soft drinks
- always have a safe plan for how to get home
- make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and has credit
- if in doubt, say no to another drink.
Find out more:
For more tips and advice about drinking responsibly, professionals will be on hand at locations around the county during Alcohol Awareness Week:
- At the community safety shop, Chilterns Shopping Centre, High Wycombe, on 19th, 20th, 21st and 23rd October
- At Amersham, Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, and Chesham rail stations during morning and evening rush hours between 18th and 21st October
- At Revolutions, Beaconsfield, on the night of 20th October
Drug and Alcohol Action Team partners will also be working with off-licences to promote the responsible drinking message.
For further information and tips on talking to children about alcohol, visit the Buckinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team website at www.bucksdaat.co.uk.
For more information
- Buckinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team is a partnership including Buckinghamshire County Council, the four district councils, Thames Valley Police and NHS Buckinghamshire.
- More information about national research and advice can be found at www.drinkaware.co.uk