School boozers: A lesson to be learned?

Here, the BEN looks at whether the fight against alcohol should be brought into the classroom. THE amount of alcohol being consumed by 11-15 year olds has spiralled to more than 10.4 units a week, according to shocking new research.

That is twice the amount consumed 10 years ago and the equivalent of more than five bottles of alcopops or five pints of cider.

Research also shows that 15 and 16 year olds in the UK are more likely to get drunk than most of their European counterparts.

Until now, guidance for schools has focused largely on illicit drugs.

Called Alcohol: Support and Guidance for Schools, the guide by Alcohol Concern and DrugScope is aimed at helping schools educate children about the legal, cultural and social status of alcohol.

It is also designed to help schools cope with problems associated with both pupils' drinking, that of their parents and even their teachers.

Vivienne Evans, who heads the Alcohol Concern and DrugsScope's education and prevention team, believes alcohol has a rightful place on the curriculum.

She added: "Children and young people are entitled to education about alcohol. It is an important part of a curriculum which prepares them for the opportunities, experiences and responsibilities of adult life.

"Alcohol plays a significant part in our culture, our society, our relationships and our economy."

John Baumber, head of Rivington and Blackrod High School and chairman of Bolton Headteachers Association, said the perils of alcohol were already taught in most classrooms.

He added: "When we discuss drugs on the syllabus, we look at alcohol and cigarettes.

"But we would be delighted to see any additional material.

"We always make sure parents see what we are going to do so they can discuss it at home as well.

"Apart from the odd pupil who might try to bring a beer into school on the last day of term, we only see the impact of under-age drinking from the previous evening.

"We are also interested in the health of our children because they are not going to do well if they are hungover."

John Royle, district manager of Alcohol and Drug Services in Wood Street, Bolton, said although he welcomed the initiative, a more co-ordinated approach was needed.

He said: "Schools have an important role to play but so do the courts, the police, specialist agencies like ourselves, parents and the drinks industry. We need to look at how the courts and the police deal with young people and their drinking.

"The advertising and drinks industry appears to deliberately target young people and use images such as cartoon characters which appeal to children.

"Parents also need to look at the messages they give out because there is a risk their children will inherit their behaviour."

Although little is known about the long-term impact of regular drinking on teenagers, the 16 to 24 year olds are the heaviest drinking section of the population, with 50 per cent of males and 41 per cent of females drinking above safe levels.

Accident and Emergency consultant at the Royal Bolton Hospital, Christopher Moulton said it was still important for children to learn about the health risks at an early age.

The BEN reported earlier this year that four children a week, some as young as 13, were being admitted to hospital after drinking themselves unconscious.

Mr Moulton said: "We do see a lot of young people suffering from the effects of alcohol, some are unconscious or others have hurt themselves in accidents after they have been drinking.

"A lot of children don't even end up in hospital but it will still affect them in later life when they are adults. Alcohol is a drug like any other and it can poison you like any other."

The police's school liaison officers already visit classrooms and give lessons on the effects of alcohol and drugs

Insp John Chadwick, the community affairs inspector at Bolton, said it was everyone's responsibility to educate young people about the dangers of drinking too much.

He said: "It is a joint effort to make sure children keep on the right path.

"Drinking is a cultural thing and is part of growing up but when it goes too far, we all need to be concerned.

"The law is continually being reviewed and we now have powers to confiscate alcohol from young people."

Cllr Frank White, Bolton's executive member for social inclusion and community safety said alcohol abuse among children was unfortunately a reality and should be addressed in the classroom.

He said: "It must be on the curriculum and children should be educated about how to use it sensibly -- you can't start young enough for that."

He pledged to support any police action against licensees who flout the law and sell alcohol to under-age children.

Cllr White added: "We are watching you -- you are poisoning our young people."

WHY DO YOUNG PEOPLE DRINK.

12-13 year olds use alcohol to experience the adult world, to satisfy their curiosity and be able to say they have tried it.

14 - 15 year olds are testing their own limits. They enjoy losing control occasionally, getting drunk and sharing the experiences with others.

16 to 17 year olds are anxious to show their maturity, want to experience drinking like adults and want to impress their boyfriends/girlfriends.

Young people are drinking more alcohol and drinking more often.

Drinkers start to outnumber non-drinkers from the age of 12.

By the age of 16 nearly all young people (94pc) have tried alcohol.

20pc of children excluded from school were suspended for drinking alcohol at school.

The most common problems young people experience are the effects of severe intoxication, accidents, criminal involvement and unsafe sex.