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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Teen drinking 'remains a worry' | Teen drinking 'remains a worry' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Fewer teens are drinking alcohol, but those who do drink are consuming more than ever, a national survey reveals. | Fewer teens are drinking alcohol, but those who do drink are consuming more than ever, a national survey reveals. |
| The annual poll of 8,200 11 to 15-year-olds by the Information Centre found 21% had an alcoholic drink in the previous week, down from 26% in 2001. | The annual poll of 8,200 11 to 15-year-olds by the Information Centre found 21% had an alcoholic drink in the previous week, down from 26% in 2001. |
| But among pupils at 290 English schools who had drunk in the last seven days, the average consumption was 11.4 units, up from 10.4 units in 2000. | But among pupils at 290 English schools who had drunk in the last seven days, the average consumption was 11.4 units, up from 10.4 units in 2000. |
| The government pledged to continue its drive to cut teen drinking. | The government pledged to continue its drive to cut teen drinking. |
| We have to get over the cultural misconception that alcohol is safe A spokesman from Alcohol Concern | We have to get over the cultural misconception that alcohol is safe A spokesman from Alcohol Concern |
| Among those questioned about smoking, alcohol and drug use, boys tended to drink more than girls - the average consumption of boys who had drunk in the last seven days was 12.3 units (at least six pints of beer) compared to 10.5 for girls. | Among those questioned about smoking, alcohol and drug use, boys tended to drink more than girls - the average consumption of boys who had drunk in the last seven days was 12.3 units (at least six pints of beer) compared to 10.5 for girls. |
| The pupils' experience of drinking tended to reflect their families' attitudes. | The pupils' experience of drinking tended to reflect their families' attitudes. |
| Family values | Family values |
| More than half of pupils (53%) thought their parents did not mind them drinking, as long as they didn't drink too much. A very small proportion (2%) said their parents let them drink as much as they liked. | More than half of pupils (53%) thought their parents did not mind them drinking, as long as they didn't drink too much. A very small proportion (2%) said their parents let them drink as much as they liked. |
| And many said they had been given the alcohol either by a friend (26%), or a parent (23%). | And many said they had been given the alcohol either by a friend (26%), or a parent (23%). |
| The charity Alcohol Concern said the findings were worrying. | The charity Alcohol Concern said the findings were worrying. |
| A spokesman said: "There is a sense that alcohol is innocuous. Some parents are relieved that their children are only drinking and not smoking or taking drugs. | A spokesman said: "There is a sense that alcohol is innocuous. Some parents are relieved that their children are only drinking and not smoking or taking drugs. |
| "We have to get over the cultural misconception that alcohol is safe." | "We have to get over the cultural misconception that alcohol is safe." |
| Deborah Cameron of specialist drug and alcohol treatment charity Addaction said: "It is clear from these latest figures that young people who are drinking under-age are drinking more than ever before. The increase in girls¿ drinking is particularly worrying. | |
| "We don¿t fully realise the damage alcohol is doing to our kids - it has got to the stage where those young people who are drinking alcohol are drinking over the recommended safe limit for adult women." | |
| No safe limit? | No safe limit? |
| While there are guidelines for adults about the amounts of alcohol they can drink without risking their health, no such guidelines exist for adolescents, who are at a time of rapid physical, mental and emotional development. | While there are guidelines for adults about the amounts of alcohol they can drink without risking their health, no such guidelines exist for adolescents, who are at a time of rapid physical, mental and emotional development. |
| It has been suggested that no amount of alcohol is safe for young teenagers to drink. | It has been suggested that no amount of alcohol is safe for young teenagers to drink. |
| The government is commissioning research to find out what impact alcohol might have on growing adolescents. | The government is commissioning research to find out what impact alcohol might have on growing adolescents. |
| And as part of its new alcohol strategy "Safe Sensible Social" it is running a responsible drinking campaign, aimed at helping young people and their parents make informed decision about drink. | And as part of its new alcohol strategy "Safe Sensible Social" it is running a responsible drinking campaign, aimed at helping young people and their parents make informed decision about drink. |
| Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "This report reveals that Government policies to tackle smoking, drinking and drug use among young people are having a positive impact. | Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "This report reveals that Government policies to tackle smoking, drinking and drug use among young people are having a positive impact. |
| "Despite these promising figures, we do recognise that there is still more to do to ensure children's lives and health are not blighted by substance misuse. | "Despite these promising figures, we do recognise that there is still more to do to ensure children's lives and health are not blighted by substance misuse. |
| "We are committed to ensuring progress is maintained and young people are supported in making the right choices around smoking, drinking and drugs." | "We are committed to ensuring progress is maintained and young people are supported in making the right choices around smoking, drinking and drugs." |
| Shadow Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, said the government had failed to deliver the message to teenagers that alcohol is bad for their health. | Shadow Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley, said the government had failed to deliver the message to teenagers that alcohol is bad for their health. |
| "We have seen the burden of alcohol on the NHS rise at an unprecedented rate. Together with obesity, alcohol abuse represents the single greatest challenge to the NHS." | "We have seen the burden of alcohol on the NHS rise at an unprecedented rate. Together with obesity, alcohol abuse represents the single greatest challenge to the NHS." |
| Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman Sandra Gidley said: "The government must not get complacent as we are still amongst the worst in Europe." | |
| The survey also found 17% had taken drugs once a month or more in 2006, down from 19% in 2005. | The survey also found 17% had taken drugs once a month or more in 2006, down from 19% in 2005. |
| The proportion of pupils who have never smoked had risen to 61% in 2004, and has remained at a similar level since. | The proportion of pupils who have never smoked had risen to 61% in 2004, and has remained at a similar level since. |