Young People and Alcohol

There are many factors influential in the extent of the involvement of young people in offending. Previous research by Rutter, Giller and Hagell 1998 (http://www.childlink.co.uk/login.html) indicates, for example:

• IQ, temperament and personality

• Family background

• Relationships with parents, peer groups

• Poor experience of school including low achievement, truancy, exclusion

• Lifestyle factors such as drug and alcohol use, leisure activities and friendship groups.

'Youth crime: Findings From The 1998-1999 Youth Lifestyle Survey' http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hors209.pdf) was published by the Home Office in September 2000 and collected information on many of these factors.

The report assessed trends in self-reported offending between 1992/93 and 1998/99 among a sub-sample of 14-25 year olds. Overall, it shows no significant change over the six year period in the proportion of men or women admitting offending in the last year. However, there has been an increase in offending among young men which is mainly attributable to increases in fighting and criminal damage.

In terms of alcohol:

• within the last week

  • 14% of 12-13 year olds had drunk alcohol

  • 33% of 14-15 year olds had drunk alcohol

  • 62% of 16-17 year olds had drunk alcohol

• 10% of 12-15 year olds drink at least once a week

• 84% of 12-17 years have drunk at some point in their lives

• 63% of 16-17 year olds and 10% of 12-15 year olds who purchased alcohol in the past year purchased it themselves, often in pubs bars and night-clubs.

• Most under 18’s viewed drinking positively, viewing it as a means of socialising and increasing confidence

• Of parents with the highest level of drinking (three or more times a week) 31% had children who drank frequently.

• Among parents who had never drunk, only 10% had children who drank frequently.

Earlier research (Newcombe et al, 1995) has found that heavy drinkers were more likely to have a criminal record than others.

The Home Office has published ‘Occasional Paper The Social Contexts of Underage Drinking’ (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/adhocpubs1.html) aimed at understanding the meaning of alcohol in the lives of 12-to 17-year- olds.

This involved focus groups and individual interviews with 180 young people, principally from the London and South Wales area. The report found that:

• The main reasons young people use alcohol;

  • To relax or unwind

  • To help express views more easily, develop trust and explore sexual relationships in a less threatening context

  • Peer expectations that certain kinds of events involve alcohol use.

• Youngsters drank to get drunk, especially around the age of 15

• The need for boys to show a tough macho image

• Drinking and threatening behaviour was more likely in relatively large groups

• Alcohol use was used as an excuse for ‘bad’ behaviour

In 1998 the Justices’ Clerks’ Society published a Good Practice Guide to Tackling Under- Age Drinking. This report makes recommendations for consideration by licensing committees, magistrates’ courts, youth courts, police, licensees and local authorities. For further details contact The Magistrates’ Court 107 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2JQ tel; 0151 255 0709 (http://www.jc-society.co.uk/.