The ARA’s mission is to reduce alcohol-related harm through combating the misuse and abuse of alcohol beverages and promoting only their responsible use.
Teenagers & Alcohol Brochure
On 27 May, 2008, the ARA, in cooperation with the Support Unit at Bishops school and leading medical professionals, psychologists and educators, launched a book entitled Teenagers and Alcohol – a practical guide that will assist parents in initiating conversations with their children about alcohol related issues.
We live in a society where alcohol is being used in significant quantities by a number of young South Africans. The use of alcohol by teenagers carries with it a range of short and long-term harmful consequences. This booklet has been produced in an effort to educate parents and teenagers about these consequences.
It is hoped that the information in the booklet will catalyse open and honest conversations within families about alcohol use by teenagers. Research has shown that teenagers whose parents talk to them, and teenagers who talk to their parents regularly about drugs and alcohol are significantly less likely to use these substances than those teens whose parents do not.
In addition to prompting and enabling conversations about alcohol, the information in the book may help young people to make informed decisions about their own use of alcohol. It is further hoped that the content of the book will empower parents to set appropriate limits and boundaries for their children in respect of alcohol as they lead their teenage children through the transition to adulthood.
The booklet was introduced as a pilot project into participating schools in Cape Town.
Schools which are participating in this project include St Cyprians, Pinelands, St Georges, St Josephs, Rhodes, Westerford, Rustenberg, SACS, Rondebosch, Groote Schuur, Wynberg Boys, San Souci, Springfield, Herschel, Reddam, Bergvliet, Wynberg Girls, Plumstead and the International School.
“We are keen to see this booklet in as many homes as possible. It is timeous as a number of incidents have brought alcohol abuse into the national consciousness,” said the spokesperson for the ARA at the launch.
He also added that it was expected that a number of people and organisations might be interested to use the book because of the quality of content and because it offers a practical manner to approach the problem of alcohol misuse and, in particular, underage drinking.
Dowload:
Teenagers & Alcohol (ARA Brochure, English)
Teenagers & Alcohol (Simple Guide, English)
Teenagers & Alcohol (ARA Brochure, Afrikaans)
Teenagers & Alcohol (Simple Guide, Afrikaans)