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Myth no. 1: "Teenagers are drinking and taking drugs now more than ever."
While there may be a perception that young people are using alcohol and drugs frequently, there are several facts that challenge this view.
The number of young people aged 12–17 who have never had a full serve of alcohol has actually increased by almost 10% between 2007 and 2010, according to the 2010 National Drug Strategy household survey. So in reality, there are more non-drinkers (59.3%) than drinkers (38.4%) in this age group.
Similarly, back in 1995 the Household Survey (AIHW 1996) reported that 29.6% of young people aged 14–17 reported using illicit drugs recently (within the last 12 months), but in 2010 the number dropped down to 13.3%—a significant decline over the time period. This declining trend is particularly significant among young cannabis users.
Myth no. 2: "Teenagers are starting to drink and take drugs earlier than ever before."
The media might sometimes suggest otherwise, but for younger Australians aged 14–24 years, the average age of first use of an illicit drug has not really changed much since 1995. The exceptions are cannabis and hallucinogens, but the 2010 National Drug Strategy household survey actually shows that first use of these drugs occurred at an older age in 2010 (16.2 and 18.6 years respectively) than in 2007 (15.9 and 17.8 years).
However, the average age at which 14–24 year olds first try alcohol has declined, in 2010 it was 14.8 years compared with the average age in 1995 of 17.1 years.
Myth no. 3: "The ‘alcopops’ tax just made teenagers switch from pre-mixed drinks to other alcoholic drinks."
A new review of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data on per capita consumption of alcohol has found that consumption of alcopops has reduced since the tax was introduced (Hall 2010). While consumption of spirits did increase a little, it was not enough to offset the reduction in alcopop consumption.
The introduction of the alcopops tax in Australia has led to fewer alcopops being consumed and there is no evidence that teenagers switched to other alcoholic beverages.
Conclusion
There are many stories and misconceptions about adolescent alcohol and drug use that circulate in our society. To further support parents in the prevention of adolescent alcohol misuse, researchers at the University of Melbourne and Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre have developed a web-based parenting program—www.parentingstrategies.net.
For further information
DrugInfo fact sheet: Young people and alcohol
DrugInfo: Information for parents
Somazone: Interactive youth website
DirectLine: (Victoria only): Tel. 1800 88 82 36
Free and confidential counselling and referral for drug or alcohol issues
Family Drug Support: Tel. 1300 368 186
Information, advice and support for the families of people who use drugs
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2011 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report, Canberra: AIHW
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 1996 1995 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report, Canberra: AIHW
Leung R, Kennedy V, Kelly AB, Toumbourou JW & Hutchinson D 2010 Preventing alcohol harms in young people: Family-based interventions, Sydney: NSW Health
Hall W & Chikritzhs T 2010 "The Australian alcopops tax revisited", The Lancet, 377:9772, pp. 1136–7
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