What we can do to curb underage drinking

A report on underage drinking was released by Kenya Breweries Ltd during the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) conferences held in Mombasa and Machakos. The report indicated that today, up to 37 per cent of children aged between 12 and 17 years have been exposed to alcohol. Out of this figure, almost 50 per cent get their first drink from relatives.

The report further noted some of the key reasons why schoolgoing children consume alcohol include the need to relieve stress, most of which is related to school or family, the desire to experiment, and as a result of peer pressure.

During the forums, teachers brought up particularly concerning feedback: students who are given too much pocket money, ranging between Sh3,000 and 5,000, are more likely to engage in illegal consumption of alcohol.

Further, the teachers noted that the lifestyle of the parent is a key determinant of whether or not a child engages in alcohol consumption.

A majority of students who consume alcohol are perceived to have a higher ‘urban social class’ and, therefore, consider alcohol consumption as socially acceptable.

On the other hand, those from lower rungs, dubbed ‘rural social class’, learn the habit from their parents who brew illicit alcohol as an income-generating activity.

Recently, a group of students was arrested in Nairobi, reportedly in a drunken state and in possession of several bottles of spirits and illicit alcohol. Media reports also sadly indicate that the students were in the company of their teachers.

It is indeed saddening to learn that guardians may have a hand in fuelling the unregulated consumption of alcohol among persons under the legal purchasing age, majority of whom are school-going children.

Needless to say, underage drinking has devastating effects especially on students’ academic performance and future career prospects. School-going children need exceptional protection from addiction to alcohol because they are most vulnerable at this tender age.

Any continued national development depends on skilled man power.

Therefore, we cannot understate the fact that curbing underage drinking is a huge task requiring a collaborative effort of not only manufacturers, regulators and retailers but also the critical guidance that teachers and guardians play.

The role of teachers and guardians in eliminating of underage drinking should go hand-in-hand.

Lack of parental support, monitoring, and poor communication has been significantly blamed for this irresponsible behaviour among adolescents.

Harsh, inconsistent discipline and hostility towards children has also been found to be a harbinger for underage drinking and alcohol-related problems. Educators have a major stake in preventing underage drinking.

They are charged with the education of our youth, but student use of alcohol can hamper learning.

I believe that it is also critical for parents to shield students from parental conflicts, and family dysfunctions by ensuring that the students’, emotional, social and economic needs are met. This puts them in the correct state of mind to concentrate in school and ensure optimal performance.

It is also critical that parents and guardians desist from giving students unreasonable amounts of pocket money which tempts them to acquire alcoholic drinks.

At the school level, interventions that will root out alcoholism among secondary school students include the need for a favourable school environment, which encourages vibrant co-curricular activities such as sports, music, drama, clubs and societies.