Safer Blanchardstown Forum

Young Peoples Access to Alcohol

Sub-group

Indicators of alcohol use by young people in Blanchardstown

Acknowledgements

The Young Peoples Access to Alcohol (YPAA) sub-group would like to thank all the schools, groups and individuals who participated in the compiling of this report.

YPAA would like to extend a big thanks to participating schools who took time out of busy schedules to allow students fill out a lengthy questionnaire.

Participating schools were: Riversdale Community School

: Blakestwon Community School

: Hartstown Community School

: Scoil Mhuire Senior National School

: St Philip’s Senior National School

YPAA would like to thank Blanchardstown Youth Service for all their help in agreeing to both administer the questionnaire and identify willing youth groups

Special thanks go to Emma Murphy of Fingal County Council’s Social Inclusion Unit who was responsible for all data entry and analysis.

Thanks also to each member of the YPAA for all their endeavors which resulted in the production of this report. Members of the YAAA are Bernie Tyson (Community Rep for Mulhuddart and Chair of the sub-group), Jacinta Sheridan (Community rep Blakestwon/Mountview) Sgt Nicola Brady (Gardaí) Ashling Geoghegan (WEB and Blanchardstown Youth Service), Barbara McDonough (HSE), Cindy Lynch (B2001), Kevin O’Brien (NOFFLA) and Philip Jennings (Safer Blanchardstown).

YPAA have saved the best till last and we would really like to express our gratitude to all the young people who participated in the survey through completing the questionnaire. Without their input and participation we would still have no indication as to how Young People are Accessing Alcohol in Blanchardstown.

Bernie Tyson

Chairperson YPAA

Safer Blanchardstown Forum Study on Young People’s Access to Alcohol (YPAA)

In 2008, the Safer Blanchardstown Forum’s sub-group Young Peoples Access to Alcohol conducted a pilot survey to assess the attitudes to alcohol of adolescents. This followed on from meetings the Safer Blanchardstown coordinator had with various community groups in the area. The message which came loud and clear from these meetings was that there was much anecdotal evidence of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour in the area and it was felt that the two issues were intrinsically linked.

For adolescents, heavy alcohol use leads to physical, psychological and social well-being problems involving both sort-term and long-term health risks according to Bjarnason et al. (2003). These include future alcohol problems, drug use, accidents, violent behaviour, victimisation, suicidal behaviour as well as under-age and unprotected sex.

The survey was designed to probe a connection between the attitudes of the parent or guardians to alcohol and to assess the attitudes and perceptions of young people in Blanchardstown towards alcohol within the context of their family and societal-level alcohol culture they experience. Almost 29% of the 11-17 year olds who replied said they were likely to have an alcoholic drink within the next month. However, in the main, the survey found that adolescents who took part were aware of the negative consequences of using alcohol. One of the main findings though, was that almost half of the 15-17 year olds that took part said there were no definite rules in their house around alcohol.

This was a worrying finding but perhaps not surprising. Recent research conducted on behalf on the Aislinn Adolescent Addiction Centre (2009) which interviewed 1000 teenagers over 15 found that alcohol was a gateway to illicit drug use for adolescents. It also found that 82% said they were prompted to try alcohol from watching their parents’ dinking habits. Also, of the 9 out of 10 adults that kept alcohol in their house, less than half monitored the quantity.

Further research could probe this link between parental attitude and adolescent drinking further and attempt to quantify how much alcohol is being consumed by adolescents in the Blanchardstown area. Also it would assess what direct affects, both long and short term this has on them and their community and seek to inform parents that they have a very important role to play in teaching their children to Respect Alcohol.

References

Bjanrason, T., Anderson, B., Choquet, M., Elekes, Z., Morgan, M. and Rapinett, G. (2003) Alcohol Culture, Family Structure and Adolescent Use: Multilevel Modelling of Frequency of Heavy Drinking among 15-16 Year old Students in 11 European Countries. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 64.

Aislinn Adolescent Addiction Centre (2009) http://www.aislinn.ie/news-and-events/detail/aislinn-alcohol-survey-gateway-drug/ [Accessed on 23-07-09]

The Report

1. Introduction

This report follows on from a listening survey carried out in the Greater Blanchardstown Community at the end of 2006. Focus groups who took part in the listening survey included;

· Residents Association and Community Employment Workers

· Community Gardaí and The Community Drug Teams

· Community Development Projects and Tenants Association

· Family Resource Centers and Traveler Development Group

· Blanchardstown Chamber of Commerce

· Clubs, group members, adult volunteer leaders and individuals.

The Safer Blanchardstown Coordinator met with the above groups over an eight week period from November to December 2006. The groups represented residents and other interest groups from each area of Greater Blanchardstown. The aim of the listening survey was to identify relevant current issues of concern relating to community safety for members of the community. Each group met for approximately one hour in a suitable location. Each group was asked the same question, which was, “if provided with the opportunity what, issues of concern, if any, would you raise with An Garda Síochána and Fingal County Council”. The role of the Coordinator was to record accurately the discussion while being careful not to provide any inputs or prompts.

As expected, many and various issues were raised by the different groups. For example: litter, abandoned cars, graffiti, drugs, crime, anti-social behaviour and young people drinking were of concern to the groups. The Coordinator compiled and collated all of these to identify common or cross community issues.

The issue which was of most concern across all groups was identified as young people and alcohol, particularly the associated problems including anti-social behaviour and the health consequences of alcohol consumption. This outcome was then brought to the overarching body, the Safer Blanchardstown Forum, for discussion and decision. The Safer Blanchardstown Forum decided to set up a sub group called Young People’s Access to Alcohol (YPAA) to look at this specific issue. The focus of this sub-group was to develop locally based initiatives and programmes to help highlight the dangers of alcohol to young people. As part of their work, the YPAA Sub-group carried out this survey to help understand the attitudes and perceptions toward, and accessibility of alcohol for the young people in the Blanchardstown area.

2. Limitations of Study

This research was limited in both scope and depth due in the main part to extremely limited funding. The questionnaire was designed and administered by the YPAA sub-group and school/group participation was on a voluntary basis. Not all schools approached took part in the research primarily due to oral component of imminent state exams. Thus this report cannot be taken as a representation of the opinion of all young people in Blanchardstown but as a snapshot and indication of the likely opinion as expressed by respondents.

3. Summary of Findings

What follows is a very informative report that shines a light upon the attitudes and influences that contribute to the reasons why young people regularly access alcohol in the Greater Blanchardstown Area.

The report shows that easing of rules by parents prohibiting the consumption of alcohol by young people increases dramatically as young people enter the older teenage years (15-17). It would also appear that a small number of young people are allowed to drink whenever they want and that 33% of respondents go to places where alcohol is available on a weekly basis, 11% of this group stated that the venue they go to is a pub or bar. There is nothing in the report to suggest that weekly exposure to alcohol is all negative, however constant exposure to alcohol normalises its consumption. Minister Mary Wallace T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children said at a recent conference organised by Alcohol Action Ireland that parents need to be more aware of the tendency to `normalise’ alcohol given the potential alcohol has to cause problems (DOHC, 2008).

For the parents and young people, it is possible that this is reflected in Table7, where 29% of respondents stated that it is very or quite likely that they will have an alcoholic drink within the next month, with 21% of the group stating that this was likely to happen with parental permission. Of those who responded, 73% think that young people take alcohol from home without asking parents permission while 24% of 11-12 year olds think that parents supply alcohol to young people at home. Friends are thought by 83% of respondents to be another source of alcohol while 37% think that people their age buy alcohol themselves from an off-licence.

Between 44% and 63.1% think that drinking alcohol is exciting, helps you fit in with others, increases confidence and makes it easier for a person to talk to others. These perceptions would appear to increase with increasing age. Surprisingly, 80% of respondents viewed alcohol as dangerous and bad for people generally, with 75% stating that they thought alcohol causes fights at home. Conversely, 63% agreed that drinking alcohol makes adults seem happier, while 72% stated that they are aware of the issues around risk, embarrassment sex and alcohol.

It could be argued that the young people of Blanchardstown are receiving very mixed messages from parents, neighbours, friends and the wider community relating to the consumption of alcohol

4. Methods

This survey was in the form of a self completion questionnaire. It was administered to young people aged 11-17 in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin including Woodvale, Fortlawn, Corduff, Mulhuddart, Hartstown, Tyyrelstown, Lohunda, Huntstown, Carpenterstown and Laurel Lodge among others.

This survey was carried out in three secondary schools and two primary schools in Blanchardstown.

These schools were;

· Hartstown and Huntstown Community College

· Blakestown Community School

· Riversdale Community College

· St. Philip’s Senior National School

· Scoil Mhuire Senior National School

There are 23 national schools and six secondary schools in the Dublin 15/Blanchardstown area. Therefore, the respondents of this report came from almost 9% of the primary schools and 50% of the secondary schools.

The survey was also administered in a variety of clubs/groups and projects linked to the Blanchardstown Youth Service. As underage drinking was a very important aspect of this analysis the information from thirteen young people was removed from the final analysis and consisted of those aged 18 (n=9) and those who didn’t provide their age. The total number of respondents included in this analysis then, were 234. Each respondent under the age of 18 was provided with a parental consent form.

The results of this survey should not be taken as a representative sample of 11-17 year olds in Blanchardstown. Rather, the aim was to conduct a short cross-sectional survey with a sample of young people in schools or youth groups in Blanchardstown to gain an insight into their perceptions around alcohol.

5. Results & Tables

Table 1: Gender of the young people who replied

	Number of Young People	Percent
Male	121	51.7%
Female	113	48.3%
Total	(234)	(100.0%)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 1 shows that of the 234 young people included in this report, 121 (51.7%) were male and 113 (48.3%) were female

Table 2: Age of young people who replied

	Number of Young People	Percent
Age 11-12	90	38.5%
Age 13-14	66	28.2%
Age 15-17	78	33.3%
Total	(234)	(100.0%)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

This report includes young people who were aged between 11 and 17. These ages were broken down into

Three age groups were 11-12 (pre-teens), 13-14(young teens) and 15-17(older teens). Table 2 illustrates how many were in each group. There were 90(38.5%) in the 11-12 age group, 66(28.2%) in the 13-14 age group and 78(33.3%) in the 15-17 age group.

Table 3: Breakdown of the age of the young people who replied by their gender

	Age 11-12		Age 13-14		Age 15-17
	Number	Percent	Number	Percent	Number	Percent
Male	46	51.1%	33	50.0%	42	53.8%
Female	44	48.9%	33	50.0%	36	46.2%
Total	(90)	(100.0%)	(66)	(100.0%)	(78)	(100.0%)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 3 looks at the gender breakdown within the three age categories. There was quite an even split of males and females within each age category.

Table 4: The age of the young people who responded and whether there are rules in their house around alcohol.

	Age 11-12		Age 13-14		Age 15-17
	Number	Percent	Number	Percent	Number	Percent
“Yes, definite rules”	73	84.9%	52	81.3%	40	51.3%
“No definite rules”	13	15.1%	12	18.8%	38	48.7%
Total	(86)	(100.0%)	(64)	(100.0%)	(78)	(100.0%)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 4 shows that almost 49% of the older teens perceived there to be no definite rules in their house regarding alcohol. This is higher than the other two age groups as 15% of the 11-12 year olds and almost 19%

of the 13-14 year olds perceived there to be no definite rules at home regarding alcohol.

Table 5: Young people’s perception of their parent’s view around drinking alcohol before age 18.

	Age 11-12	Age 13-14		Age 15-17	Total Over All Ages
“No alcohol before 18”	55.6%	31.6%	12.8%		100.0%
Total Number	(65)	(37)	(15)		(117)
“Sometimes with permission”	16.9%	28.9%	54.2%		100.0%
Total Number	(14)	(24)	(45)		(83)
“Allowed to drink whenever I want”	0.0%	13.3%	86.7%		100.0%
Total Number	(0)	(2)	(13)		(15)
“I don't know what my parents think about alcohol”	50.0%	16.7%	33.3%		100.0%
Total Number	(9)	(3)	(6)		(18)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 5 shows as the ages increase, less of the group interviewed perceive that their parents

views regarding drinking alcohol before 18 would include “No alcohol before 18”, “Sometimes (allowed drink alcohol) with permission” and “Allowed to drink when ever I want”. Of the 15 young people who said that they perceive that their parents would agree to letting them drink whenever they wanted, 2 were aged 13-14

and 13 were aged 15-17. Of those the 233 who replied replied, 18 (or almost 8%) said that they did not know what their parents view on alcohol was.

Table 6: How often the young people who replied carry out certain activities.

		Age 11-12	Age 13-14		Age 15-17	Total Over All Ages
How often play sport
	At least weekly	94.4%		87.7%	67.5%	83.5%
	Less than weekly, at least once per month	2.2%		6.2%	9.1%	5.6%
	Less than monthly	3.4%		6.2%	23.4%	10.8%
	Total Number	(89)		(65)	(77)	(231)
How often go to watch sport
	At least weekly	44.2%		39.3%	39.0%	41.1%
	Less than weekly, at least once per month	22.1%		31.1%	29.9%	27.2%
	Less than monthly	33.7%		29.5%	31.2%	31.7%
	Total Number	(86)		(61)	(77)	(224)
How often go into town with friends
	At least weekly	36.4%		46.9%	42.9%	41.5%
	Less than weekly, at least once per month	18.2%		26.6%	37.7%	27.1%
	Less than monthly	45.5%		26.6%	19.5%	31.4%
	Total Number	(88)		(64)	(77)	(229)
How often go to places where alcohol is available
	At least weekly	13.5%		32.8%	56.4%	33.3%
	Less than weekly, at least once per month	10.1%		15.6%	25.6%	16.9%
	Less than monthly	76.4%		51.6%	17.9%	49.8%
	Total Number	(89)		(64)	(78)	(231)
Go to a pub or bar with parents
	At least weekly	14.8%		7.8%	9.1%	10.9%
	Less than weekly, at least once per month	27.3%		39.1%	28.6%	31.0%
	Less than monthly	58.0%		53.1%	62.3%	58.1%
	Total Number	(88)		(64)	(77)	(229)
Go out for a meal with parents
	At least weekly	40.2%		41.3%	26.0%	35.7%
	Less than weekly, at least once per month	50.6%		44.4%	29.9%	41.9%
	Less than monthly	9.2%		14.3%	44.2%	22.5%
	Total Number	(87)		(63)	(77)	(227)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 6 shows that 33% of the young people who replied go to places where alcohol is available at least

on a weekly basis, and almost 11% go to a pub or a bar with their parents at least weekly.

Table7: How likely it is for the young people who replied to drink alcohol within the next month.

		Age 11-12	Age 13-14			Age 15-17	Total Over All Ages
Likelihood of Drink within the next month
	Very or Quite Likely	1.1%		22.2%	65.8%		28.6%
	Not very or not at all likely	98.7%		77.8%	34.2%		71.4.2%
	Total Number	(88)		(63)	(76)		(227)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Almost 29% of the young people who replied said that it would be very likely or quite likely to have an alcoholic drink within the next month. Of the 12-14 year old who replied, 22% said it was likely that they would have an alcohol drink within the next month. Almost 66% of the 15-17 age group said they were likely to have an alcoholic drink within the next month.

Table 8: How likely it is for the young people who replied to drink alcohol with their parent’s

permission within the next month.

		Age 11-12	Age 13-14		Age 15-17		Total Over All Ages
Likelihood of Drink with parental permission within the next month
	Very or Quite Likely	4.5%		13.8%		45.5%	20.8%
	Not very or not at all likely	95.5%		84.2%		54.5%	79.2%
	Total Number	(89)		(65)		(77)	(231)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 8 shows that almost 21% of the young people who replied said that it would be very likely or quite likely to have an alcoholic drink with parental permission within the next month.

Table 9: How easy or difficult for the young people who responded perceive it is to get alcohol.

		Age 11-12	Age 13-14		Age 15-17		Total Over All Ages
Ease or difficulty obtaining alcohol
	Easy or quite easy	22.5%		60.0%		93.6%	56.9%
	Quite or very difficult	51.7%		16.9%		5.1%	26.3%
	Don't know	25.8%		23.1%		1.3%	16.8%
	Total Number	(89)		(65)		(78)	(232)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Question 9 asked how easy or difficult it is for young people in general to get alcohol and table 9 illustrates the response to this question. Almost 57% of those who replied thought that it was easy or quite easy.

Question 10 asked where young people think people their age are most likely to get alcohol. As this was a very long question, the results are presented in three separate tables, 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c).

Table 10(a) Where the young people who responded think people their age get alcohol.

		Age 11-12	Age 13-14		Age 15-17		Total Over All Ages
Take alcohol from home without asking
	Always	12.5%		10.9%		9.5%	11.1%
	Sometimes	63.6%		64.1%		56.8%	61.5%
	Never	23.9%		25.0%		33.8%	27.4%
	Total Number	(88)		(64)		(74)	(226)
Given alcohol at home by parents
	Always	1.2%		0.0%		4.1%	1.8%
	Sometimes	24.1%		22.6%		58.9%	35.3%
	Never	74.7%		77.4%		37.0%	62.8%
	Total Number	(83)		(62)		(73)	(218)
Get older sibling to buy alcohol
	Always	9.3%		11.3%		26.7%	15.7%
	Sometimes	57.0%		61.3%		53.3%	57.0%
	Never	33.7%		27.4%		20.0%	27.4%
	Total Number	(86)		(62)		(75)	(223)
Alcohol bought in pub/off licence by parents
	Always	6.0%		6.5%		21.1%	11.3%
	Sometimes	17.9%		21.0%		34.2%	24.3%
	Never	76.2%		72.6%		44.7%	64.4%
	Total Number	(84)		(62)		(76)	(222)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 10(a) show that almost 73% (11.1% Always, 61.5% Sometimes) of the 226 who responded think that people their age take alcohol from home without asking. However, in some cases, the young people who responded think parents are providing the alcohol. For example, almost 24% (6.0% Always, 17.9% Sometimes) of the 11-12 year olds who responded think that people their age are given alcohol at home by their parents.

Table 10(b): Where the young people who responded think people their age get alcohol

		Age 11-12		Age 13-14		Age 15-17		Total Over All Ages
Given alcohol by friends
	Always	12.8%			39.1%		41.9%	29.9%
	Sometimes	62.8%			46.9%		47.3%	53.1%
	Never	24.4%			14.1%		10.8%	17.0%
	Total Number	(86)			(64)		(74)	(224)
Given alcohol by friend's parents
	Always	0.0%			4.7%		10.8%	4.9%
	Sometimes	15.3%			26.6%		36.5%	25.6%
	Never	84.7%			68.8%		52.7%	69.5%
	Total Number	(85)			(64)		(74)	(223)
Get a stranger to buy alcohol
	Always	27.8%			39.1%		59.7%	41.6%
	Sometimes	40.0%			39.1%		23.4%	34.2%
	Never	32.2%			21.9%		16.9%	24.2%
	Total Number	(90)			(64)		(77)	(231)
Get someone older that they know to buy alcohol
	Always		24.4%		28.6%		56.8%	36.3%
	Sometimes		46.5%		50.8%		33.8%	43.5%
	Never		29.1%		20.6%		9.5%	20.2%
	Total Number		(86)		(63)		(74)	(223)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 10 (b) shows that 83% (29.9% Always, 53.1% Sometimes) thought that people their age are given alcohol by their friends.

Table 10(c): Where the young people who responded think people their age get alcohol.

			Age 11-12		Age 13-14	Age 15-17		Total Over All Ages
Buy alcohol themselves from the off-licence
		Always	1.1%	9.4%			21.1%	10.1%
		Sometimes	10.2%	28.1%			46.1%	27.2%
		Never	88.6%	62.5%			32.9%	62.7%
		Total Number	(88)	(64)			(76)	(228)
Buy alcohol themselves from a pub
	Always		1.2%	6.3%			11.8%	6.2%
	Sometimes		7.0%	23.4%			42.1%	23.5%
	Never		91.9%	70.3%			46.1%	70.4%
	Total Number		(86)	(64)			(76)	(226)
Buy alcohol themselves from a shop/supermarket
	Always		1.2%	12.7%			15.6%	9.3%
	Sometimes		23.3%	25.4%			49.4%	32.7%
	Never		75.6%	61.9%			35.1%	58.0%
	Total Number		(86)	(63)			(77)	(226)
Buy alcohol themselves from a garage
	Always		3.6%	3.1%			12.8%	6.6%
	Sometimes		22.6%	29.7%			38.5%	30.1%
	Never		73.8%	67.2%			48.7%	63.3%
	Total Number		(84)	(64)			(78)	(226)
Buy alcohol themselves from a nightclub
	Always		5.8%	9.7%			24.7%	13.3%
	Sometimes		22.1%	27.4%			35.1%	28.0%
	Never		72.1%	62.9%			40.3%	58.7%
	Total Number		(86)	(62)			(77)	(225)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 10(c)

Of those who responded, 37% (10.1% Always, 27.2% Sometimes) think people their age buy alcohol themselves from an off-license, 42% (9.3% Always, 23.5% Sometimes ) think that people their age buy alcohol from a shop or supermarket and 41% (13.3% Always, 28.0% Sometimes) think people their age buy alcohol themselves from a nightclub.

In Question 11, fourteen statements were presented and the young people who took part in this study were asked whether they agreed or disagreed. The results are presented in tables 11(a), 11(b), 11(c) and 11(d).

Table 11(a): How much the young people who replied agree with certain statements around how alcohol makes you feel.

		Age 11-12	Age 13-14			Age 15-17	Total Over All Ages
Drinking alcohol is exciting
	Agree/Sometimes agree	15.4%		42.2%	69.2%		44.0%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	84.6%		57.8%	30.8%		56.0%
	Total Number	(65)		(64)	(78)		(207)
Drinking alcohol helps you forget your problems
	Agree/Sometimes agree	30.8%		47.6%	52.6%		44.2%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	69.2%		52.4%	47.4%		55.8%
	Total Number	(65)		(63)	(78)		(206)
Drinking alcohol helps you fit in with other people
	Agree/Sometimes agree	32.3%		36.5%	57.7%		43.2%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	67.7%		63.5%	42.3%		56.8%
	Total Number	(65)		(63)	(78)		(206)
Drinking alcohol makes you feel confident
	Agree/Sometimes agree	30.8%		50.8%	61.5%		48.5%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	69.2%		49.2%	38.5%		51.5%
	Total Number	(65)		(63)	(78)		(206)
Drinking alcohol makes it easier to talk to people at clubs/parties
	Agree/Sometimes agree	50.8%		61.9%	74.4%		63.1%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	49.2%		38.1%	25.6%		36.9%
	Total Number	(65)		(63)	(78)		(206)

Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Table 11(a) shows that 44% of those who replied agree or sometimes agree that drinking is exciting, 44.2% agree or sometimes agree that alcohol helps you forget your problems, 43% agree or sometimes agree that alcohol helps you fit in with other people, 48.5% agree or sometimes agree that drinking alcohol makes you feel confident and 63.1% agree or sometimes agree that drinking alcohol makes it easier to talk to people at clubs or parties. Across all of these statements, the percentages with in the age groups that agree or sometimes agree, increases with age.

Table 11(b): How much the young people who replied agree with certain statements around how `bad’ alcohol is.

		Age 11-12		Age 13-14		Age 15-17	Total Over All Ages
Drinking alcohol is dangerous
	Agree/Sometimes agree	96.9%	87.5%		70.5%		84.1%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	3.1%	12.5%		29.5%		15.9%
	Total Number	(65)	(64)		(78)		(207)
Drinking alcohol is bad for people generally
	Agree/Sometimes agree	90.8%	87.3%		67.9%		81.1%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	9.2%	12.7%		32.1%		18.9%
	Total Number	(65)	(63)		(78)		(206)
Drinking alcohol is bad for you below age 18
	Agree/Sometimes agree	90.9%	77.8%		62.8%		76.3%
	Don't really agree/Disagree	9.1%	22.2%		37.2%		23.7%
	Total Number	(66)	(63)		(78)		(207)
Drinking alcohol is ok because everybody does it
	Agree/Sometimes agree