Health Minister Louis Deguara and Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina yesterday urged responsibility in alcohol consumption especially during the festive season.
On behalf of the Permanent Focus Group on Underage Drinking within the family ministry, Charmaine Gauci quoted statistics from the Health Interview Survey 2002, where 17.1 per cent said they never drive after drinking alcohol, 9.18 per cent said they drive after a drink or two, 3.07 per cent drive after three or four drinks, and 7.71 per cent drive after drinking more than that.
It is also a fact that Malta has ranked fifth among the 35 participating countries in the proportion of 16-year-old students who reported bingeing three times or more during the last 30 days. Only 6.4 per cent of the 16-year-old Maltese respondents in the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs, ESPAD 2003, had not had alcohol at least once in their lives.
“It is scientifically proven that drinking disrupts our basic human capacities,” said Dr Gauci while emphasising the importance that those who drank should not drive and vice-versa.
Sedqa have collaborated with the Permanent Focus Group on Underage Drinking throughout the year and together they presented the information campaign created for the festive season.
Sedqa’s operative director Jean Claude Cardona said: “The main message we wish to send out to everyone is that you should not drink at all if you’re driving, no matter what the distance. There are situations where a person should not drink any alcohol since even the smallest amount can be harmful, and driving is one of them.” Thus, zero-tolerance of drinking and driving was emphasised.
The Permanent Focus Group’s chairperson, Elaine Birmingham said: “Many people think it is up to the Police to enforce the law regulating the consumption of alcohol by persons under 16 years of age, but in truth every single person should carry the responsibility to make sure that this law is observed.”
Posters and flyers were issued as part of the campaign, reminding people that under-age drinking is not only a violation of the law, but also highly dangerous, and potentially life-shattering. A CD with a compilation of songs with a positive message about living healthily, made by young Maltese singers was also presented.
* * *
If you are under 16 it is now illegal for you to drink alcohol, be in possession of alcohol or obtain or try to obtain alcohol. You may be arraigned in court, and if found guilty, you may be fined, or ordered to participate in a specific educational programme for young people.
If you sell, buy, serve or supply alcohol it is illegal for you to do so to a person under 16 years of age. If you do so, you are liable to be prosecuted and penalised.
If you are a parent or guardian and a person below the age of 16 is in your care, and is found drinking, in possession of alcohol or trying to obtain alcohol, and this offence could have been avoided had you exercised due diligence, you may be subject to a penalty.
For more information call Sedqa on 151, the Health Promotion Department on tel: nos. 2326-6000, or Caritas on 2590-6600.
(See also story in features section)