Alcohol Use among Youth in Australia - Research Paper Example

?Research Report Research Alcohol Use among Youth in Australia Group Members: Unit Unit Lecturer: Due Word Count: Contents Contents 2 Alcohol Use among Young People Abstract Objective: Alcohol use among young people especially teenagers and youngsters aged below 21 can cause drastic effect on their health and life. The study aims to explore the consequences of alcohol misuse amongst young people in Australia. It analyzes the cultural, social and environmental causes which influence the alcohol consumption among the Australian youth and its effects on their wellbeing. Method: The researcher uses cross-sectional survey to collect quantitative data and personal interview to collect qualitative data. Students aged 12 to 17 in Australian schools and students aged 17 to 22 in Australian colleges were involved in the research. The survey and interview was conducted on 8th December 2012. Nearly 100 students participated in the survey. Results: The primary questions posed to them were about alcohol consumption and how it affected or changed their life. The secondary questions explored what kindled them to indulge in alcohol consuming at such a young age. The results listed peer pressure and lack of high self esteem as the main reasons for consuming alcohol. Nearly 19% of both male and female students admitted being sexually abused when they were not sober. Others admitted getting various health related issues starting from ulcers to severe addiction to drugs and falling back in studies. Conclusion: The study reveals most of the students are not aware of the deadly side effects of drug usage at such a tender age. It strongly recommends for immediate creation of massive awareness programs among the students. Introduction Australian schools and colleges consist of students from various ethnic minorities along with the white students. High school here starts immediately after the preliminary education for students aged above 7. The schools here are completely westernized. Students here start using alcohol at a relatively young age. A study indicated, nearly 28.6% of 12 the graders were capable of having more than five drinks in a row in the US (Windle, 2003). This percentage only increases when the students enter the college. The situation is similar in most of the western countries including Australia. Australian minister for Health and ageing Nicola Roxon said “Around 1 in 6 people aged 14 or older put themselves at risk of alcohol-related injury from a single drinking occasion at least once a week, this is an alarming statistic” (Roxon, 2012). The study aims in finding out the main reasons behind this addiction to alcohol at a very young age. In addition to that, a survey and interview was conducted among students from the St. Mary’s School and St. Mary’s college regarding the issue. The students were asked various questions regarding what forced them to get addicted to the habit and how it had affected their life. Definition of Concepts Drink spiking - a practice where a friend or an unknown person adds drug unknown to the victim is the start for alcohol consumption for many students (Drink Spiking, 2012). Cannabis – The most famous form of drug used by the Australian Youth. Binge drinker – a person capable of drinking five or six drinks continuously. Key Objectives of the Study The main objective of the study is to determine the level of alcohol usage among the Australian Youth. This research aims in young people aged 7 to 25. They are grouped into two categories aged 7 – 17 and 18 – 25. The former group is considered young because they are totally dependent on their parents for everything. The second group is partially dependant on their parents to some extent for student loan repayment, college fees etc. The second main emphasis lay on defining what causes them to use alcohol at this young age. The paper also analyses the drastic consequences it has on the life of the youngsters and the factors and the social, cultural and economic issues affecting them to become drug addicts at a very young age. Literature Review Young people aged 7 – 17 and 17-25 use alcohol due to various reasons, with peer pressure being the main amongst them. We consider people in this age category because alcohol usage in Australia is prevalent even among the high school students there. Though alcohol usage is very high among youngsters in Europe and the US, these countries have very useful rehabilitation centres which aid the students. Teenage drinking laws are much liberal in Australia compared to these countries. Nearly 5% of the young children aged 8 to 10 have tasted some form of alcohol or drug in Australia (AIHW, 2005). Such a situation doesn’t prevail in the well developed countries too. Social Factors: Several teenagers admit to being tricking into drink spiking by peers without their knowledge. They are too shy to admit they were tricked to others. Once they get to taste alcohol or drugs for the first time, they lose the fear and guilt while trying it the second time. Students drink for the fear of being teased by others. Some students drink just for the sake of staying in the group, even though they despise it wholeheartedly. Alcohol: Alcohol once consumed, creates an ecstatic feeling making the students forget the high pressure in during their final school years. They are forced to take various examinations and entrance tests. They fear about entering the college, clearing the semesters, securing the job and paying back the student loans. Many students aged 17 – 25 drink for solace and escaping from the realities of the world (ABS, 2006). Adolescents: “A developmental contextual perspective encourages the examination of alcohol use and heavy drinking in relation to normative developmental tasks and transitions and in the context of students’ changing lives, focusing on interindividual variation in the course and consequences of drinking and on a wide range of proximal and distal influences” (Schulenberg & Maggs, 2002). The Adolescent age makes them crave for some sort of identification. Their peers who drink a lot are established as bullies and the mighty in most schools and colleges rather than the students who do well academically. This creates a wrong example forcing them to follow the same. Youngsters come out of their families to study or work during their adolescent age for the first time. There is no close monitoring from the parents or relatives. This sudden freedom thrust upon them gives them immense self-confidence to try all the things which were abandoned earlier like staying out late at night, having boyfriends or girlfriends, wearing glamorous clothes and drinking alcohol. What start out of curiosity become a habit and an addiction which they cannot overcome quite soon (White, 2001). Drinking constantly might lead them to have unprotected sex, making them vulnerable to deadly diseases like HIV. “Analysis of event characteristics showed that drinking was more strongly associated with decreased protective behaviors among younger individuals, on first intercourse experiences and for events that occurred on average longer ago” (Cooper, 2002). Cultural factors: Studies reveal the cultural factors play a significant role in increasing the alcohol consumption among the Australian youth. Most of the Australian families fall under the lower-middle class category. The parents in such households do hard labour oriented manual work. Nearly both the parents in 96% of the houses consume alcohol regularly before kids (Dawe, 2007). It creates an impression that it is a quite normal act in life. Today’s youngsters do not have any idea when and how their parents started to consume alcohol. Most of the high school students in Australia aged around 8 – 10 admitted to have tasted alcohols from their parents shelf, rather than purchasing it elsewhere (Frye et.al, 2008). Studies also revealed family support can play a vital role in curing the alcohol addicts from the practice very soon. There is no empirical proof that children bought up under strict catholic guidance or non-alcoholic, non-problematic families do not drink. Children from all sorts of households consume alcohol in equal percentage. But, the family monitoring and support can play a substantial role in preventing alcohol consumption regularly in all households (Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre, 2004). There is strong proof that most students start consuming alcohol regularly by 13, though the risk of initiation prevails throughout the adolescent period. Proactive parents who instil strong family values can delay this initiation by many years effectively (Kosterman et. al, 2000). Environmental Factors: The environment in which Australian teenagers grow strongly support alcohol consumption by every means. Every celebrity, sports star and film hero is depicted to be a drunkard to some form. In fact people who are capable of drinking the most and staying sober still are considered to be very manly. The mass media emphasizes this point again and again in several ways. A lady who drinks is portrayed to be sexy, liberal and of very high status. Consuming alcohol is considered as a practice of the elite. The revenue generated by selling alcohol contributes to nearly 10% of the total revenue of Australian government’s total income. The more a child views alcohol related ads from the age 12 to 15, the more quickly it starts drinking. Cohort studies prove there is a compelling connection between exposure to alcohol advertisements and the habit of early drinking in youngsters (Smith & Foxcroft, 2009). Easy availability, cheap prices and the lack of awareness about the ill effects of alcohol all leads to Australian youngsters using it at a very young age. Drug related deaths are a very common problem too. A survey conducted in the US regarding the drunk and drive deaths conducted among students aged 18 to 24 states, nearly 2.8 million students drink and drive regularly, injuring over 600000 people annually. There are around 1700 alcohol-related injuries and deaths reported from colleges every year. The empirical data regarding this in the Australian soil is less. But, the situation is more or less similar here too. Significance: The ill effects of using alcohol at a very young age are not communicated properly to the Australian youth. Youngsters, who get addicted to alcohol in a very young age, lose focus in their life leading to various mental and physical problems. They suffer various diseases starting from ulcers to nervous disorders, obesity, sexual dysfunction and a variety of other diseases. Youngsters got the level of quitting studies and taking up jobs, just to satisfy their craving for drinking. A major part of their income goes towards alcohol, preventing from paying their student loans on time, purchasing a house and enjoying many other luxuries in life. A majority of the students studying in Australian colleges are from the neighbouring countries like India, China, Philippines and Indonesia. Only a small percentage of Australian students reach college and complete it successfully. One of the major reasons for school dropout, other than monetary issue is the consumption of alcohol. Students quit school because they cannot concentrate on studies when they get addicted to alcohol. Further, they need money to buy more drugs and alcohol related substance, which makes them take up any job which comes their way instead of planning their future in a proper way. Another major side effect alcohol causes is drug usage. Alcohol addicts start using drugs at some point easily. People who consume alcohol constantly start using cannabis within a year or two. The effect this drug has on the mental health of youngsters is now recorded moderate. But, as their age increases, the risk of getting affected by severe psychiatric problems making them violent are very common. An analysis conducted among students aged 16 to 21 with states the usage of Cannabis, the most used drug in Australia increases the symptoms of psychosis moderately for youngsters. It drastically worsens the symptoms for youngsters already suffering from mental issues (Henquet et. al). Another study conducted among 1600 students over 44 schools in the state of Victoria, Australia suggests, nearly 60% of students have used Cannabis before they reached the age 20. 7% of them became addicts and started using the drug daily (Patton et. al, 2002). Students who reach this point within 20 die due to various severe nervous disorders within the next 10 years pathetically. The report submitted by AIHW (Authoritative information and statistics To promote better health and wellbeing) lists the pattern of drug usage among school students state wise. Their data shows there students start experimenting with wine and alcohol from home, pass on to smoking, taking alcohol and using illicit drugs all within 3 to five years time. Consequences: Studies aimed at observing and evaluating the programs that are designed to prevent alcohol misuse and create awareness about the dangers of illicit drug usage suggest nearly 20 out 56 studies prove totally worthless (Foxcroft et.al, 2003). “In particular there is a need to carry out well-designed scientific evaluations of the effectiveness of current or new prevention efforts which target young people's alcohol misuse” (Foxcroft, 2006). The Australian government is bringing up various schemes to create awareness about alcohol consumption at a very young age and preventing it. They launch various programs periodically involving both the families and the educational institutions to curb alcohol consumption at a young age. Multi-component programs designed by various NGO's to prevent alcohol misuse among the youngsters are encouraged. The long term and medium term results of these studies are observed carefully and such programs are given good grants. But, sadly only 1 in 7 of such programs seems to have any effect on the youngsters due to lack of proper communication and the effective ways of reach them (Dr. Foxcroft & Tsertsvadze, 2011). There are several reasons for this. The programs are not planned in an interesting way to lure the youngsters. They are conducted in secluded places. The main youth media like internet and mobile apps are seldom used to create the slightest awareness about them. The campaigns are conducted in hospitals or in campus premises. Most students prevent entering the stall as they hate listening to lengthy advices. Modernizing the awareness program and making it creative is the only way to make the youth attend them. Alcohol addicts in young age do not co-operate with their physicians or general physicians properly on screening and getting cured. In fact, doctors who came forward to participate in studies creating awareness and curing alcohol addiction suffered more setbacks than success (Beich et. al, 2002). Research Methodology A survey was conducted among 100 school and college students who were born and bought up in Australia. 50 students aged 12 to 17 studying in the St. Mary's school and St. Mary's college in Australia were surveyed. They were given a questionnaire which consists of various questions regarding their alcohol usage. Certain students were interviewed personally to get more details the very same day. Quantitative data was collected through cross-sectional survey and qualitative data was collected through direct questions posed to them in the interview. Ethical Statement The students were only asked to mention their age and gender not their names. The identity of the students were kept strictly confidential to avoid any further problems to them in the school and college. They were requested to take part in the survey on a purely medical basis. Since, the questionnaire asked very sensitive and confidential questions regarding abuse, their identity is kept a secret respecting their privacy and co-operation for the study. Pilot study A pilot study was conducted among the students regarding the questionnaire. They were asked to pin point the questions they thought inappropriate for the survey. Most number of students felt two questions when was the last time you consumed alcohol or drugs and where do you usually drink unnecessary to the survey. Hence, the data of those two questions were not taken into account. This pilot study helps in a way to reduce systematic errors and bring down the limitations of the survey (Bowling, 2007). Research Design The survey questionnaire consisted of 17 questions out of which two were taken out based on the pilot study. The other 15 questions were answered by all the 100 students. Only students who had Australian citizenship and lived here for more than 5 years were taken into consideration. Each student was asked to mention their gender and age and the top of the paper. No other personal details were obtained from them. Students who admitted to being abused when drunk, who reported health problems, who reported to have injured others and those whom the survey team thought were addicts were called back for the interview. The survey hardly took 10 minutes to finish. The students were asked to fill it on Friday evening after their classes. The interview lasted for five minutes. Students were enquired personally about what sort of abuse, health problem and what sort injury they inflicted. They were asked whether they needed further assistance regarding the issue in the form of counselling or professional help. A surprisingly huge number of students said yes. Results There is no major difference between the drinking pattern between boys and girls aged 12 to 15. They are both eager to try it (Young et. al, 2002). This pattern is the same all over the world. ESPAD (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) also reports there is no difference between the percentage of youngsters consuming alcohol in girls and boys (Hibell et al., 2000). The biological differences which start sprouting after 15 make women body more sensitive even to little alcohol. Men on the other hand have an increased need to consume more alcohol as they get used to the habit (Wilsnack et al, 2000). Our survey results also confirm the same. Both male and female students are eager to try alcohol when they are starting their teenage. Women control drinking in a year or two when they reach 15 because the puberty changes make them quite sensitive even to mild drinks. Over 60% of students especially college goers did accept they did not receive any education regarding the drug awareness. They admit there were programs regarding the topic conducted by the campus and the NGO’s. But, most of them quit them for other work. In the school level, most of the students have received at least one lesson regarding the same. Only 10% pupil admitted to have received no instructions about the harmful usage of drugs. These students belonged to the age group 12 to 13 mainly. When students were asked where they will consume alcohol most of them reported other places. The ‘other’ place meant play ground in the school or college, garage in the home or some hidden joint they have to meet their friends in the garden, terrace or some part of the house. Most of the students in the age category 12 – 17 admitted their parents did not know about their alcohol use. They keep the place as a secret to hide from their parents and authorities. Nearly all the students in the age group 17 – 25 admitted their parents knew they consumed alcohol. They mostly used bars, pubs and friends home for alcohol get-togethers. Out of the total 100 students surveyed, only 14% of students aged under 14 had not tried alcohol or drugs even once in their life. Cannabis was the most frequently used drug and nearly 18 % of students aged below 17 admitted using at some point. Students who were classified binge drinkers that are students who take more than 5 drinks continuously were labelled as addicts and called for personal interview. They admitted to starting with smoking and experimenting with various drugs including cocaine and heroin (Wagner, 2001). They constitute nearly 3% of the total students under 17 (Facts, 2011). The amount of alcohol consumed by them per week is nearly equivalent to that of adults. When questioned about the health problems they had, most students reported they suffer from headaches, short temper, frequent loss of concentration etc. Most of them admit to dwindling in studies after starting to consume alcohol continuously. A surprisingly high number of students admit to have injured others by drunken driving and pulling unwanted fights while drunk. Recommendations The data received from the questionnaire and the survey proves the young generation which is the future of Australia is in grave danger of becoming drug addicts. Surprisingly, most of the students report their parents also consume very high amount of alcohol. The survey done by the Australian Health department indicates the nearly 168000 12 to 17 year old are binge drinkers in Australia. There are over 40000 houses with more than one Cannabis user in Australia (Lunn, 2008). Children in teenage learn how to use the drug, where to buy it everything right from their parents or elder brothers rather than friends. Consuming alcohol is no longer viewed as a sin or health hazardous issue in Australian households as both father and mother consume some form of it in their everyday life. This increased alcoholic used among Australians place the kids under a very vulnerable condition. If the government tries to bring in any form of awareness program, it should be aimed at the parents first, rather than the kids. The parents should be taught to exercise their rights and prevent their children from drinking at a very young age. It is their duty and responsibility to avoid drinking before youngsters in the start of their teenage. Studies conducted all over the world suggest, the beginning of teenage is the beginning of rebellion. The transition period from childhood to adolescence will see various forms of self esteem and health compromising behaviours (Mcgee, 2001). It is up to the parents and the teachers to help the youngsters overcome the harmonic surge and changes with a light heart, without indulging in any hazardous activity. Surprisingly large numbers of parents seem to fail in the area in the past decade. The parent child generation gap have widened than ever before and the parents get very little time to monitor the children which makes them indulge in such activities freely. All over the world, teens and people aged 22 to 25 show very high drinking pattern. Known as bachelor freedom, this is the age where most of the men consume massive amounts of alcohol and drug. Due to natural immunity in the body, they will be capable of digesting it, and reproduce children without any problem in the future, even though they are addicts. They will gradually bring alcohol consumption under control, when they get married, due to financial stress, less time to spend with friends, growing career and child birth (O' Malley et. al, 2002). Most men control drinking when they get a child fearing it might harm their health as well their kids (Bachman et.al, 2002). But, indulging in massive alcohol usage in a tender age as young as 12 to 17 will only leave the children as drug addicts in rehabilitation centres rather than making them respectable citizens of the country. The parents should insist this point and make it clear there should be no alcohol or drugs until the kid lives in their shade. They should monitor the pocket money given and how it is spend. Schools should come forward to take strict action, if they not kids coming in drunk or using drugs. The government and the NGO’s have a major role to play in creating awareness (Spooner & Dadich, 2008). The awareness programs should attract the students instead of driving them away. There is no point in giving lectures about the harmful effects of alcohol when the students attend it drunk. Some of the plans under recommended to the Australian government to reach the youngsters better are Creating simulation games which explain how each body part get affected drastically by excessive alcohol consumption. Making it available free in mobile and internet. Luring children to play the same through advertisements is a must. Conducting quiz and painting competitions among the young children regarding illicit drug usage. Making them participate in it through various prizes. Creating family teams and awarding who prevent all sort of alcohol usage or curb the alcohol usage effectively than the previous months. The winning team’s betterment health wise and wealth wise should be exposed to others. Forming groups among alcohol addicted school students and awarding all those who come out of the habit quickly in terms of merits in marks and sports. Making them inspire their team to perform similarly and stay away from drugs. Such measures will help in controlling drug usage to a certain level in the schools. Government should also take stringent steps to 1. Punish parents who do not take enough responsibility in curbing the alcohol activities of their children 2. Make alcohol availability a restricted one for youngsters. 3. Make the laws connected with drunken driving and causing unintentional injuries due to drinking very strict. 4. Establish more rehabilitation centres and encourage NGO’s to monitor children in their community regarding drug usage. 5. Involve family members of the children in any drug prevention program conducted by school or society actively as a rule. Discussion The study underlined some important points which were obtained from the study. Most of the students start drinking when they go out with their peers on camps. Most of the college students start using drugs too in these outings. There is a close association with music, dance and drugs in the youngster’s life. Several young students report getting drunk for the first time in the rock concerts. Students with talent for music and dance show high vulnerability to get addicted to drugs than the others. Many music oriented students use drugs or alcohol to go to a heightened state or simply because their peers are using it. Students indulging in dances use it to get rid of their body pain in the beginning. In course of time, they get addicted to it losing their shape and future (Winstock, 2001). Another important place where alcohol comes into usage is friend’s birthday party. It is up to the parents and the authorities concerned to monitor the students efficiently and curb them from getting addicted to such hazardous practices in these places. College students exhibit high vulnerability to get addicted to drugs if they are engaging in sporting events. Sororities, clubs and fraternities serve as major drinking hubs for these the college goers. Most students quit drinking when they come out of the college mainly because they miss these fraternities (Mccable et.al, 2005). Students who are forced into drinking by drink spiking admit being abused in various ways including stripping naked completely, getting beaten, teased, robbed of valuables and sexual assaults. Most of them are willing to get help, but fear they might be thrown out of their group and keep silent without approaching even the school counsellor. Parents, friends and the management in the schools should lend an empathetic hand towards them to help them become better citizens (Roche et.al, 2007). Conclusion The study served as an eye opener giving various details regarding, when and where the youngsters start using drug and alcohol, how they should be helped and their young people’s mentality. 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When was the last time you consumed alcohol or drugs? --------------------------- 8. How and where do you buy alcohol or durgs? Shops Sneak from parents cupboard Frieds supply 9. What do you usually drink? Alcoholic Beer Liquour Wine Other alcoholic drinks 10. How do you rate yourself? Poor drinker Average drinker Heavy drinker taking more than 5 shots at a time 11. Have you ever been abused while drunk? Robbed Sexually abused Teased or punished 12. Do your parents know about it? Yes No 13. Where do you usually drink? Parties and pubs School or house in sneaky places Other places 14. Mention your normal dosage. Do you think you are addicted? Yes No 15. Have you undergone any course or class regarding drug and alcohol usage -------------------------- 16. Have you injured any person while you are drunk? --------------------------------- 17. Do you have any of the following health issues? Hangover and concentration issue Obesity or ulcer problem Liver problem Read More