Salvo research shows teenage binge drinking epidemic is our worst
drug problem
3 September 2002
A frightening new Australian research study
conducted by The Roy Morgan organisation for the Salvos, into the
drinking habits of Australians, shows that binge drinking for both
young males and females has reached epidemic proportions.
35% of teenage males (14-19 ) admitted to drinking
between 11 and 30 alcoholic drinks in one session. The figure for
teenage females is 22% drinking between 9 and 30 drinks (we define
binge drinking as 3 times the .05 blood alcohol rate of drinking).
For young adults ( 20 to 24) 54% of males and 19% of
females were binge drinkers. The average binge drinking session
lasts about 4 hours.
In the past five years the prevalence of binge
drinking has doubled. By comparison only 7% of males 50 to 64
took part in binge drinking and no females in this age group were
involved.
Average weekly alcohol consumption has doubled
in the past 10 years for the 14 -24 age group. In 1992 14% said they
consumed 6 drinks or more. In 2002 it had doubled to 28%. This
generation of drinkers starts younger, drinks more and indulges in
binge drinking to a greater extent than any previous generation.
The age at which children start to drink is now
less than 14 on average. There has been a dramatic change in the
introduction of young people aged 14 to 19 to alcoholic drink. 63%
have had their first drink by the age of 14 (14% by the age of 11).
This compares with 9% of people now over 65 who had their first
drink by the age of 14.
The younger a person is when they start to drink the
more likely they are to drink more than 30 drinks a week. The mean
starting age for those who drink more than 30 drinks a week is 12
compared to 16 for all those who drink.
Where the family income is over $50,000 drinking
commences at 15 and for families earning less than $25,000 drinking
commences at 18.
The reason people drink varies according to age.
The young (14 -24) drink to fit in at social occasions (42%) while
those 50+ drink to relax (30%).
Women increasingly drink to 'fit in at social
occasions' while men increasingly drink to relax.
Despite the huge increase in those who binge drink
only 2% are prepared to say they drink to get drunk.
'Two glasses a day are good for my health' is a
reason for 7% of those over 35 to drink but does not influence those
under 35 at all.
SUMMARY
Binge drinking is very dangerous and is far higher
today than ever before. Currently 3,700 people a year die from
complications related to alcohol abuse. This kind of binge drinking
will greatly increase the death rate from alcohol related diseases
as the effects of a life time of excessive drinking become evident.
The long term health effects of excessive drinking does not
influence the drinking habits of young people but unintended sex,
violence and other injuries from falls and uncontrolled behaviour
have immediate effects.
The Governments of Australia are all concerned and
have instituted educational campaigns to reach young people and
parents. The Salvation Army sees the terrible effects on all age
groups though our rehabilitation programs that saw 30,000 people
last year trying to get off alcohol and drugs. We also see the
victims in our homeless crisis centres were sadly the average age is
30.
The massive change in the drinking habits of young
people in recent years is even more worrying than the taking of
illegal drugs as it effects so many more people. There is a
community acceptance of alcohol that with the positive health
findings of recent years has hidden the dreadful effects of
excessive drinking.
We call on all those who drink to consider their
consumption in objective terms. Binge drinking will cause immediate
and long term consequences that will almost inevitably ruin your
life in one way or another. Please if you drink then drink
responsibly.
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To download a copy of the report:
For more information, please contact:
John Dalziel, Communications Director
The Salvation Army
Phone: (03) 9896 6007
Mobile: 0417 537 950
Email: |
