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Teenage Alcohol Use in Back on the Radar:  Minimum Legal Drinking Age (MLDA) Still a Good Potential Protective Factor

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Let’s just commence with a very synoptic look at…

Teenage Alcohol Use and Health Risks

Teenagers who consume alcohol face several health risks in both short and long term, depending on the duration of drinking habits. The earlier they start drinking the greater the likelihood of being a life-time consumer.

Let’s explore some of these risks:

Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making:

Physical and Sexual Assault:

Brain Development Interference:

Increased Risk of Alcohol Problems Later in Life:

Other Health Problems:

Remember, it is currently in recommended in Australia that people under 18 avoid alcohol altogether due to these risks. It used to be 21, and the evidence strongly supports this as a better protective gateway. Talking openly with teens about the harms of alcohol and the vital need for safety are imperative, and should not include jokingly conveyed ‘near misses’, as this can only lend itself to a down played ‘risk-assessment’ by the teen. 234

Parents and Alcohol Supply – The Reemerging Problem.

Overview of Australian Parental Supply of Alcohol Longitudinal Study (APSALS)

Parents play a significant role in shaping their children’s alcohol use. One strategy they employ is providing their children with alcohol, believing it helps teach responsible drinking. However, the consequences of parental supply are not well understood and may unintentionally harm adolescents.

The APSALS study aims to determine how parental supply influences different patterns of adolescent alcohol consumption over time.

By examining parent, child, and peer relationships, APSALS provides essential information to help parents prevent alcohol misuse in their children.

Key Findings:

  • Parents are a common source of alcohol for underage drinkers. More than a quarter of Australian adolescents aged 16 and 17 were granted permission to drink at home. 
  • Nearly half (47%) of current teenage drinkers obtained their last alcoholic drink from a parent.
  • Around one-third (35%) intended to get drunk most times or every time they consumed alcohol.
  • Over half (54%) experienced negative outcomes after drinking, such as vomiting or risky behavior2.
  • Almost 18% of surveyed teenagers within two years of the legal drinking age were allowed to take alcohol to parties or social events, which is a breach of Secondary Supply Laws in most states.
  • Teens who had drunk alcohol with parental permission were at increased risk of alcohol-related harm (e.g., regrettable sexual encounters, fights) compared to their counterparts. Dr Wing See Yuen of N.D.A.R.C in recently published article in Page 18, Victorian Herald Sun, on June 15th, 2024, was quoted as saying… “Kids who were supplied alcohol by their parents were more likely to be binge drinkers and develop and alcohol use disorder (AUD) later in life.”
  • The study highlights the risks of underage alcohol use at home or parties, challenging the assumption that supervised environments lead to responsible alcohol behaviour.

Some Pointers for Parents: Some fast facts

What are the recommendations for parents regarding alcohol supply?

When it comes to teens and alcohol, the new Australian drinking guidelines state that anyone under 18 should not drink alcohol at all to reduce the risk of injury and harm to the developing brain. Drinking alcohol can impact brain development up until the age of 25 years (or even older) affecting attention, memory, and decision-making1. 

The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) provides valuable insights into young people’s alcohol consumption in Australia. Here are some key findings from the 2022–2023 survey:

Parental Views and Approaches:

  • Parents’ views on acceptable drinking onset ages vary. (Remember 21 is a better start point than 18)
  • Some parents believe that exposing teenagers to alcohol, even in small amounts, is harmless.
  • However, research shows that early alcohol exposure can harm developing brains and lead to long-term consequences.
  • Delaying alcohol use as long as possible reduces risks3.

Reducing Parental Supply:

What helps prevent underage drinking:

  • A quality parent-child relationship.
  • Parental monitoring of their children.
  • Parental support and involvement in their child’s life.
  • Modelling a resilient and responsible lifestyle that demonstrates the lack of need for alcohol for celebration or alleviation. 

What increases the likelihood of underage drinking:

 

roldmodelling

 

Much more is ‘caught’ than ‘taught’, so remember, your role modelling along with honest, open and accountable communication (both ways) can help prevent alcohol misuse among adolescents.

There are some simple keys in building a preventative and resilient teen in this space, that just take a deliberate and sustained approach from the parent of guardian. 

  1. Open Conversations: Start having open conversations about alcohol and other drugs with your child from as early as eight years old. Provide them with accurate information and attitudes before they go to high school.
  2. Values & Boundaries: Agreed upon family values and boundaries that then make sense because of those modelled values is a key.
  3. Setting and prioritising safety are essential. There’s no safe level of alcohol use for children under 18 years. Invest time in looking at the extensive research into the staggering harms of alcohol on the body and brain, but particularly on the developing brain. Alcohol poses risks to brain development and overall health in young people. The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years, and experts recommend avoiding alcohol until at least 18 or even 21.
  4. Stop Supplying Alcohol to your kids, and definitely not other’s kids: Giving alcohol to your child or their friends doesn’t reduce harm. It can lead to more drinking later in life. Set clear boundaries and avoid providing alcohol13.
  5. Be a Role Model: Again, the most important thing any parent or guardian can do is be the proactive role model for your charge. Your behaviour plays a significant role in shaping their child’s beliefs and attitudes about alcohol—whether you drink frequently or attend social gatherings without relying on alcohol—can influence your child’s understanding of alcohol’s role in their life.
  6. Secondary Supply Laws: In Australia, it is against the law to serve alcohol in a private home to anyone under 18 years old unless you are the young person’s parent or guardian. Bar staff and bottle shops are also prohibited from serving or selling alcohol to people under 18. Secondary supply (when adults provide alcohol to minors) is the most common way young people obtain alcohol.
  7. Get Advice: You can always check with your family physician or other clinician if you have concerns that the research doesn’t address.

School-Based Initiatives and Public Campaigns:

Peer Programs:

  • Peer-led programs at schools, community centres, and youth centres can help prevent or delay alcohol and other drug use.
  • Effective peer education programs often involve:

Public Education Campaigns:

  • Remember, collaborative efforts involving schools, parents, and communities contribute to healthier outcomes for young people. Last, but by no means least.
  • Raising the Minimum Legal Drinking Age up even just a little for both purchase and consumption will place positive downward pressure on teen alcohol consumption. 

Sources: