Young People and Alcohol

1. Young People and Alcohol Di Robertson October 2007

2. Context and Statistics • The proportion of 11-15 year olds who drink has varied slightly over the last 5 years between 58-60%, but there was a clear drop from 58% in 2005 to 54% in 2006. However, the mean consumption of those who drink has doubled from 5 units a week in the early 1990s to 10 units in 2004. • Young people drink mainly beer, cider, lager. Alcopops remain popular but consumption of them tends to drop with age. • By the age of 13, the proportion of those who drink exceeds the proportion of teenagers who do not drink. • Young people drink for a variety of reasons including: the wish to demonstrate maturity, have fun and test their limits. • Although young people may drink in an uncontrolled way at times, most will not go on to develop serious alcohol problems.

3. Context and Statistics Continued • Common problems experienced are the result of severe intoxication such as accidents. • There is an association between alcohol and crime or anti-social behaviour. 16% of school attendees, who had committed a crime, reported that they had been drinking prior to the crime. • Children of problem drinkers can suffer from emotional and psychological problems. But how a young person responds to a parent’s drinking depends on factors such as the young person’s personality support systems both with and outside the family.

4. ESPAD School Survey 2003

5. Prevention and Education • PSHE and Science Curriculum • Alcohol Education starts in KS2 • Awareness raising with parents • Curriculum Guidance for Youth Services • FRANK • Peer education

6. Tell Us Survey 2007 This survey is carried out every two years with children in years 6,8 and 10 in a random selection of schools in each authority Local Authority National % % Have you ever had an alcoholic drink- a whole drink, not just a sip? (Tick one box only) No 39 42 Yes 49 48 Prefer not to say 12 10 In the last 4 weeks, how many times, if any, have you got drunk? (tick one box only) None 20 23 Once/Twice 9 12 Three or more 15 7 Prefer not to say 6 5 What do you think of the information and advice you get on the following things? (Year 8 & 10 only) (Tick one Box) Need more/ better advice Eating healthy Food 15 20 Alcohol 21 27 Smoking 25 26 Drugs 27 31 Sex and Relationships 31 37

7. Streetwise Alcohol Survey 2005 • 100 young people under 19 completed the survey Why do young people drink? • 79% of young people stated they drank for fun • 61% ‘to get drunk’ • 42% drank to relax • 38% to be more sociable • 22% drank ‘to forget’ • 20% drank ‘to cope with feelings’

8. Streetwise Survey (contd) • 63% of young women and 47% of young men reported having sex under the influence of alcohol • 46% of young women and 37% of young men had injured themselves under the influence of alcohol • Overall 22% of young people admitted committing a crime under the influence of alcohol • 49% of young people claimed they had been violent under the influence • 73% of young men and 62% of young women aged 16 and 17 reported drinking in pubs

9. Particularly Vulnerable Groups of Young people • Looked After Children • Young Offenders • Young People Not Attending School • Homeless Young People • Children of Problematic Alcohol or Drug Users • Children who have been sexually exploited

12. Alcohol, Crime and Young People • The 2003 Crime and Justice Survey further reveals that 82% of criminal damage incidents were committed on the spur of the moment and 40% had been committed when the perpetrator had consumed alcohol or alcohol and drugs. • Criminal damage accounts for 14% of offences which young people are charged with who are engaged with the YOT. • Residents who say that people being drunk or rowdy in public places is a very or fairly big problem dropped from 35% in 2005-06 to 34% in 2006-07 (Newcastle Residents Survey).

13. Calls to 101 2006-2007 • Breakdown of types of calls to 101 in Newcastle No of incidents • Noise Nuisance 3214 • Intimidation and harassment 2916 • Vehicle Related ASB 2349 • Drunk or rowdy in public places 1847 • Vandalism, grafitti and other deliberate damage 966 • Out of Scope 905 • Rubbish or litter 439 • Street lighting 194 • Substance Related ASB 156 • Animal Problems 5 • Firework related problems 2 • Total 12993

14. A Review of the impact drugs and alcohol have on young people’s sexual behaviour. June 2007Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV Key Findings • Alcohol consumption must be reduced if there is to be an effect on risk: by early intervention & by making it more difficult to purchase alcohol under age • There is a lack of information about the effects of drugs and alcohol • The positive media coverage of ‘celebrity’ behaviour involving sex, drugs and alcohol acts as an encouragement to young people • Alcohol advertising is widely accessible to all who can read, merchandising for alcohol manufacturers sponsorships are available to small children • Some alcohol advertising is targeting young people

15. Initial Child Protection Conferences where Substance Misuse is Factor

16. Early Intervention and Treatment • Schools,Youth Services and Connexions • Counselling at Streetwise • Newcastle Independence Network • GPs • CAMHS • D’n’A

17. D’n’A Services for Young People • Multi agency service • Children’s Social care, CAMHS, NECA • Confidential advice and treatment • KPIs for LAC and YOT

18. D’n’A Services for Young People 2006-07Drugs Used

19. D’n’AReferrals by Gender

20. D’n’A Referrals by Age

21. D’n’ASources of referral

23. Test Purchasing • 2006 – 07 – 134 leading to 12 convictions • 2007 – 8 - 82 leading to 1 conviction so far • There are 12 designated public places orders