Parents in the UK are increasingly aware of problems associated with teenagers and alcohol – but is their experience unusual, or is it mirrored in other countries around the world? The statistics suggest youngsters here are more likely than those elsewhere to get into difficulties over drink.
Last year a survey of 15- and 16-yearolds in the UK, carried out as part of the European School Survey Project, found increasing numbers of them are suffering serious mental and physical health problems because of alcohol. More than one in four said they had suffered an accident or injury because of drinking, and one in 10 said they had had sex while intoxicated and later regretted it. Overall 54% of the teenagers admitted to binge drinking, which is a much higher percentage than the European average of 43%. Britain was fifth out of 35 European countries, coming behind the Isle of Man, Denmark, Portugal and Malta. . . . . . .
_____________________________________________________
