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Difficult questions and easy answers Don't Alcohol Information Nights teach young people to drink? Alcohol Information Nights are based on a harm minimisation approach which neither condemns nor promotes drinking. The choice not to drink is respected as much as the choice to drink. Just mentioning alcohol won't make young people run out and start drinking. How can we teach harm minimisation when it's illegal for people under 18 to drink anyway? Some people may believe that harm minimisation conflicts with the general ban on underage drinking. This is not the case. There are many situations when people under 18 can and will drink. Addressing these realities does not necessarily put teachers or students in jeopardy of breaking the law. In order to remove concerns about the law, teachers and parents are encouraged to understand it. Why don't Alcohol Information Nights attempt to change student drinking behaviour? They do. Rethinking Drinking and Alcohol Information Nights are based on the premise that it is inappropriate to define ‘responsible behaviour' because everyone's definition of 'responsible' differs, and the greatest difference is usually between adults and young people. This project aims to promote safe or safer behaviour. Ultimately, each individual is responsible for their own choices. The project aims to help young people think ahead and plan for safety. Just because it doesn't measure the change, doesn't mean it's not aiming for change. What does recent research tell us about what influences young people’s alcohol consumption? Research shows that parental factors have a major influence on young people’s alcohol consumption patterns and include:
There is considerable evidence that a high proportion of young people obtain alcohol from their parents. For example, one study found that parents had purchased alcohol for half of all adolescents under 18 who had drunk alcohol and another study found that 29% of young people aged 15-17 reported that their parents had provided them with alcohol. Schools are also important influences on young people and provide the context in which young people’s social norms and relationships are formed. This means that involving schools in efforts to change young people’s beliefs and behaviours is extremely important. This approach is supported by the World Health Organisation which recommends that programs targeting youth drinking take into account the context within which young people begin to drink. Isn't it a parent's responsibility to teach their children about alcohol use? Alcohol Information Nights recognise that a community focus is important for issues like alcohol education. Parent involvement is an important part of these nights which focus on student-parent communication. The most desirable situation is one where education occurs at home and at school, and drinking behaviours are negotiated between students and their parents. Why involve parents in Alcohol Information Nights? Involving parents in Alcohol Information Nights encourages parents and student to work together to explore alcohol issues with a focus on minimising harm. It aims to get parents to look again at the position that they are taking and to alert them to the life situations their child is likely to encounter, regardless of background or belief. Many parents are challenged by the idea that young people may be using alcohol and have questions about when to let students drink, how much, with whom and the dangers involved. Should parents talk to their children about drinking? Recent research has demonstrated that promoting a dialogue between parents and students on issues such as alcohol use can have a positive effect on young people’s behaviours. This is supported by evidence that there are two-way influences between adolescents and parents. The interactive approach promoted through the proposed information nights reflects this inter-relationship between the alcohol-related attitudes and behaviours of parents and their adolescent children. Do parents have any influence on their children’s drinking? A recent report prepared by the Australian Institute of Family Studies provides extensive evidence that parents are a strong influence on their adolescent children’s drinking behaviour. Parents can help their adolescent children avoid or minimise the harms associated with alcohol misuse by taking the time and showing an interest in an Alcohol Information Night. Drinking does not occur in the school: it occurs during leisure time, at home and elsewhere. It is a behaviour largely learned from family and friends, and an area which parents have sought to directly influence and usually control. What’s the role for teachers in an Alcohol Information Night? The role of the teacher in Alcohol Information Nights will differ from school to school. Teachers can act as facilitators for the Nights or this role can be undertaken by students or by other members of the school community (eg the school nurse). In general teachers can assist at Alcohol Information Nights by fostering communication, interaction, decision-making and conflict resolution. Teachers' skills and experience can be useful in maintaining an environment of trust and respect for diverse opinions and for leading the process of enquiry. They can also assist in facilitating individual activities, such as role plays, games and discussions. It is important that teachers involved with alcohol and drug education programs in the school have input into Alcohol Information Nights to ensure that they reflect the school's approach to alcohol and drug education. Teachers' involvement is also important as they can provide ongoing sources of information and advice to students and parents about alcohol and drug use issues. Why involve GPs in an Alcohol Information Night? GPs are a trusted and authoritative source of information about health issues for young people and their parents. GPs’ medical knowledge and understanding of the health effects of alcohol enables them to provide accurate and relevant health information to students and parents. In addition to this, GPs are skilled at communicating with both young people and parents and are used to making complex health information relevant and accessible to a range of target audiences. Many young people (and their parents) see GPs only for 'physical' problems and are not aware that GPs also have extensive experience in alcohol, drug and mental health issues. In fact, GPs are often the most accessible providers of advice, treatment and referral for alcohol issues for young people and their parents. They are based in local communities and are seen as valued community members rather than 'outside experts'. Local GPs are often known to the school community and/or many students and their parents and their involvement in the information nights can strengthen existing relationships between general practice and the community. There is evidence that young people concerned about drug/alcohol and mental health issues are more likely to seek help from GPs than any other health care provider. Having a relationship with a trusted GP is a protective factor for young people in relation to a range of physical and mental health problems. Therefore, promoting the role of GPs in providing confidential and accessible advice and assistance on health issues can result in ongoing benefits for young people. GPs also provide a local link into the health system for any students or parents who have ongoing concerns about alcohol use. Involving GPs in the Alcohol Information Nights will assist parents and students in accessing any other alcohol and mental health services that they may need in the future. How does the project address the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds? Teachers, parents, students and the rest of the community don't share common experiences or cultures about alcohol and drug use. Alcohol Information Nights are sensitive to those within the school community who:
The information nights acknowledge that while each set of parents may have different rules for their children, the aim of the nights is to look at minimising harms, and that non drinkers are also affected by drinking. You're dealing with alcohol but what about other drugs like marijuana? While marijuana is an illegal drug in most Australian States many of the harm minimisation strategies which relate to alcohol are as useful for other drugs. Good communication between parents and their children will be one positive way to deal with any drug related issues. For more specific information about the effects of marijuana contact your local/State health department. Isn't this funded by the Brewers? What's in it for them? The Australian Brewers Foundation (ABF) funded the Rethinking Drinking project which initiated the concept of Alcohol Information Nights. The ABF believes this is an investment in the health of young Australians. It is up-front about its motives and acknowledges that its motives are principally commercial. The industry knows that unless alcohol misuse can be reduced by education and by measures that target the needs of particular groups, governments may impose across-the-board restrictions. They believe further restrictions are not in the industry's interests or those of the majority of consumers.
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Have you held an Alcohol Information Night? Other schools are keen to hear from you & get your suggestions, advice and tips for how to run a successful night.
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