Voice of the Children: Alcohol in the eyes of the young

Harmful use of alcohol is a risk factor for many diseases and injury conditions, there are untold stories of the loss of loved ones and income, of family break-up and neglected children, of depression and loneliness, of violence and abuse. The harmful use of alcohol also leads to risky behaviors among the youth, including drink-driving, fighting, drowning, self-harm, and suicide. As the young are among the most affected, they must have a voice in shaping the response to this key public health issue. This publication helps in giving expression to young people’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Through their art, the young have demonstrated how well they understand the consequences of the harmful use of alcohol. They also have interesting solutions to offer. The message that came out strongly from their artwork is simple and pointed: STOP alcohol use.

Let us hear the voice of the young: STOP alcohol use

In the discourse on alcohol, the voice that is missing is that of the young. It is their voice that we need to hear. It is they who are affected most. It is their future at stake.

The increasing trend of alcohol consumption in the South-East Asian Region is affecting our young people more than others. Across the Region, the harmful use of alcohol causes more than 650 000 deaths each year. Worldwide, more than a quarter (26.5%) of all 15–19-year olds are current drinkers, amounting to 155 million adolescents, a matter of grave concern. People of younger ages are disproportionately affected by alcohol compared to older persons, with 13.5% of all deaths among those who are 20–39 years of age attributed to alcohol.

Beyond the statistics, and the fact that the harmful use of alcohol is a risk factor for many diseases and injury conditions, there are untold stories of the loss of loved ones and income, of family break-up and neglected children, of depression and loneliness, of violence and abuse. The harmful use of alcohol also leads to risky behaviors among the youth, including drink-driving, fighting, drowning, self-harm, and suicide.

As the young are among the most affected, they must have a voice in shaping the response to this key public health issue.

This publication helps in giving expression to young people’s thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Through their art, the young have demonstrated how well they understand the consequences of the harmful use of alcohol. They also have interesting solutions to offer. The message that came out strongly from their artwork is simple and pointed: STOP alcohol use.

Listen to our voices, stop alcohol consumption

•Alcohol: a weapon of mass destruction

•Nothing about alcohol is healthy

•Alcohol takes control of our body, darkens our heart and soul

•Alcohol kills our capacity to think clearly

•Drinking and driving: the fast lane to death and injuries

•Alcohol is a very effective dissolving agent. It dissolves families, jobs, dreams, marriages, and friendships, but NEVER dissolves problems

•The alcohol monster devours it all