Issues around children and young people's drinking (CYP) are never far from the headlines, and certainly well-publicised declines in CYP's drinking have continued to attract media attention. However efforts to further protect CYP from alcohol harms appear to remain a policy priority despite challenges over evidence gaps and communication challenges.
This week Scotland's new national alcohol strategy was released, promising to 'put the voices of children and young people at the heart of developing preventative measures', whilst in the North East of England a new campaign was launched by Balance warning parents about the risks to their children from alcohol. The 'What's the harm' campaign, launched during Alcohol Awareness Week 2018, encourages parents to delay when children first start to drink, citing evidence on the harmful effects on early-onset drinking and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) guidance released in 2009 advising an alcohol-free childhood as best.
As such the campaign appeals to parents who may be providing their children with alcohol in attempts to teach them to 'drink responsibly', encouraging parents to consider the potential harmful effects including to their mental health, safety and development of their body and organs. Colin Shevills, Director of Balance, as reported in the Guardian said: "we know from speaking to north-east parents there’s a myth that providing alcohol at a young age makes children less curious, when in fact it can be a trigger for drinking. People mention the French way of giving children alcohol – but France actually has twice the rate of alcohol dependence of the UK.”
Teaching 'responsible drinking' or priming for problems?
Evidence as to what extent parents currently give their children alcohol and their motives for doing so is rather scant, as indeed is the extent to which changes to drinking amongst CYP may be a result of parenting changes as is thought by some to be a key driver. In 2016 we explored the issue following a a survey that reported half of parents with children under 14 allowed them to drink at home, and a Guardian article asking 'Should I let my children try alcohol?' the previous year. Other media reports had responded to figures showing drinking levels were higher amongst CYP from more affluent areas, with The Independent declaring 'Middle class parents more likely to turn their children to alcohol'.
The Balance campaign states 'children whose parents don’t mind them drinking are more likely to drink more regularly and a greater quantity of alcohol' and 'are more likely to develop alcohol problems later in life'; claims that can be broadly supported by the available evidence. Shevills though says "the government has not been doing enough to make people aware of the harms of alcohol for adolescents or children” and wants to see more action both in terms of protecting children and educating their parents as key influencers on their children's behaviour. Balance acknowledges the positive falls in CYP's drinking, but says amongst 11-15 year olds who do regularly drink, the 'average weekly consumption is the equivalent of 9 vodkas a week' (CYP drinking stats here).
Future strategy?
Action relating to promoting awareness amongst parents and children may fit well with the current Government's approach as it formulates a new national strategy. Whilst seemingly ruling out wider policy measures such as minimum pricing pending further review, themes of education and personal responsibility have been consistently evident, albeit to the dismay of those calling for evidence-first approach. Indeed achieving significant behaviour change through campaign and awareness raising alone is considered unlikely, changes in attitudes and knowledge may be seen as an important principle and building point for further interventions.
Meanwhile an innovation fund for up to eight local authorities to help address the impact of parental alcohol dependency is currently underway, albeit that many point out the wider ‘crisis’ in treatment as budgets and numbers receiving help decline. Last year a parliamentary briefing on Parental Alcohol Misuse (PAM) was released, identifying PAM as 'a spectrum of problem drinking by those with parental responsibility for children'. It reported protective factors that can help children to be resilient and have positive outcomes include high self-esteem, whilst stating the role of parenting skills has limited evidence, though improving family communication, cohesion, and child well-being may have beneficial impacts.
For public health groups, prevention of harm is where important missed opportunities lie, and seeking further awareness of the CMO CYP guidance is arguably an important and valid objective. GP Dr John Green, says in Balance's press release, “The best advice is to talk to your children about alcohol before secondary school, don’t consider letting them drink before 15 and if you can, delay it until they’re 18 as that is definitely the best start in life.” Precisely what future research will offer further into the role of parents in their children's drinking outcomes, and indeed what actions the future national strategy may take, remain to be seen. Media reports on CYP drinking, and whether its positive decline will continue, are certain to follow.
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