Tips for Teens

Underage drinking: is it worth it?

YOU DECIDE.Call toll free 0800 33 33 77

www.youdecide.org.za

An initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry, the NYDA and SAB

Think about itDrinking is a part of life in our country with the majority of people drinking responsibly and in moderation. However, there are those people who abuse alcohol and this can have a devastating impact on their friends and family. There is also a growing concern about the number of teens who are drinking – the very people we are counting to lead us in the next 20 years.

Locally, many stars and celebs are speaking out on the issue of teen drinking. Thembalethu Ntuli is one of them. Famous for getting us laughing with his ‘tsotsi taal’, he has seen the effects of excessive drinking and underage consumption on our communities and says: “No ways, youth can be tooooo crazy. Why drink? Just wait until you’re older and rather start building your success in your teens: go to school, meet new friends, play sport, and develop your interests. You won’t regret it when your adult life is styling. You can change the world…come up bigger than you are.”

Caroline grew up with parents with drinking problems. Things were so unbearable that she promised she would never touch a drop of alcohol.

Then, when she was 13, her mom died, and she had to move in with her gran. It was a strict household: definitely no alcohol in sight. About a year later though, her cousin also moved in. He was 15, popular, and a drinker. He often teased her, until one day when he had friends around, to show him she could do it, she took a huge glug of liquor. Everyone was having fun: laughing, dancing. It was great. It happened more and more often. 10 months later, things were out of control. Caroline was kicked out by her granny, and had nowhere to go… 1

Hopefully this booklet will get you dreaming and doing great things.

You decide.

“Ikusasa kufanele liqhakaze, ngoba intsha yethu ineziphiwo/inamathalente kodwa ukuphuza

bese konakala konke kungashabalalisa konke. Sinamaphupho, sifuna ukwenza izinto ezinkulu, kodwa langihlala khona kulula kabi ukuba ulahl

ekelwe indlela yakho.”

uTaps oneminyaka engu-17 ohlala eThekwini.

So, why are teens drinking?

Some of the issues around underage drinking are highlighted here. Some may come as a surprise and some may not. You decide. 1 in 2 teenagers in the average South African home is a user of alcohol Almost half the learners (49%) interviewed in a recent high school survey said that they had drunk alcohol at some stage during their school career In the same survey, 15% of guys and 8% of girls said that they’d had their first drink before the age of 13 Having five or more drinks in a single session is considered to be binge drinking and makes you a problem drinker Half of the students who admitted to drinking (23% to 35%) said that they had had a binge drinking session (had five or more drinks on one occasion) in the month before the survey People who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence than those who have their first drink at age 20 or older Teens that use alcohol are three times more likely to be involved in violent crime Teenagers who drink are far more likely to try illegal drugs. In fact, research shows that 67% of teens who drink before the age of 15 will go on to use illegal drugs. They are 22 times more likely to use marijuana, and 50 times more likely to use cocaine Some youth start abusing alcohol from age 12 and younger 60% of Grade 8 to 11 learners who abused alcohol in a local research study had to repeat their grade

Boredom: Some teenagers get bored easily and crave constant excitement, even danger.

To escape: Being a teenager can be very stressful. Depression; anxiety;problems at home; demands to achieve and over-achieve and the pressure of social acceptance

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can make your life as a teen pretty tough. Add all of this up, and you can see the reasons otherwise normal teens could get tempted to drink.

To rebel: What better way to stick it to your parents than by doing what you shouldn’t? But when people drink to rebel or prove a point, they can becomemore angry and aggressive. #ThinkBeforeYouDrink

Liquid courage: Sometimes you want to fit in and be a part of the “in” crowd. Or your peers suggest you drink to be part of the group. Sometimes you don’t think you’re cool enough – taking a drink only temporarily fixes the problem.

Great sportspeople, artists, actors, DJs and entrepreneurs get into the groove, that later leads to their success, in their teens. Think of how many soccer stars’ careers are over by age 30.

“I have golden opportunities”

Many of the pitfalls of drinking before you are 18 are either not really understood or considered. A few of the risks only apply if you become a heavy drinker, but some could kick in even if you only experiment with alcohol. And, remember, all heavy drinkers were light drinkers once.

Here are some of the benefits of not drinking underage:

Things go right, things go wrong

Drinking because you’re bored?

Don’t want to sit around drinking your teen years away? Look for more constructive activities that you and your friends can do. Get involved in sporting activities or offer your services at community development and charitable organisations where you can make a difference. There are hundreds of options available to you-:check out www.youdecide.org.za.

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You can’t get your teen years back, so don’t lose the chance to hone your burgeoning skills now. You won’t get a second shot.

It’s a criminal offence for teens under 18 to buy alcohol. If you’re caught and convicted for buying alcohol, or for any infringement while under the influence, you will have a criminal record, be jailed, and possibly pay a huge fine. Don’t end up in jail or limit your life plans. Good jobs and being able to travel to many countries are not an option for criminal record holders.

Teens who drink are more likely to become victims of violent crime. You increase your risk of being hurt through events such as car accidents or violence; you may be more susceptible to getting drawn into crime, such as stealing and more than 50% of rape sufferers are abused whilst drunk. Girls who drink can also become targets for rape (especially date rape).

“I have golden opportunities”

“No criminal record for me, thanks”

Kawusoze wabuyela emuva waba mncane futhi, ngakhoke ungalahlekelwa ithuba lokuthuthukisa ulwazi lwakho njenga manje. Kawusoze walithola ithuba lesibili. 4

“I don’t want to be raped or seriously injured”

Alcohol affects your mental and physical advancement if you are not yet fully developed. The abuse of alcohol at a young age can result in physical and/or psychological damage.

No physical and psychological problems

“I want to succeed at school” Even modest drinking can lower your defences. So if you want to avoid sexual activity you’re not ready for, or unnecessary sexual health risks, avoid drinking. The downside can include unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV.

Sexual risk

Hore “tjhe” ho nweng mabakeng a kang mekete ho ka ba thata. Kgetlong la pele haholo ho ka ba thata, empa

ka pheello, ho ba bonolo.

Mahlatsipa a fetang 50% a peto a hlekefetswa a tahilwe.

U 60% wabafundi baka grade 8 kuya ku 11 abasebenzisa kabi utshwala ocwaningweni lwendawo kufanele baphinde amagrade ukuze baphase.

You want to be a success, and school is one step on that path. There are numerous studies showing the strong connection between binge drinking, school dropouts and poor academic performance.

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There are thousands of instances where words and actions have been used whilst being under the influence of alcohol that can’t be taken back. Insulting a friend can’t easily be ‘undone’, the same way embarrassing cellphone messages can’t be taken back once you have sent them.

While beer does have a lower alcohol content than most other forms of liquor, a beer is not safer than wine or a shot of hard liquor (e.g. whiskey or vodka). They have the same harmful effects on your still growing brain and body.

“No intention of becoming a full-blown alcoholic” “I don’t have to regret what I say”

But beer is not so bad,right?

Batla ketso tse hlalefileng tseo o ka di etsang le

metswalle.

“Lots of my friends drink, but I don’t like the taste, I don’t like how it makes me feel…not being in control…and it sucks

up a lot of money.” - Lazi M, Alexandra, 17

“I never knew alcohol [until] my friends introduced me to it. The whole idea was to experiment...That is how I moved from a light drinker to a heavy drinker.” – Sam N, Durban, 15

Uma uqala uphuza utshwala ngaphambi kokuba ube

neminyaka engu-15, amathuba akho aphindwe kane okuba ube

nenkinga yophuzo kunabanye abasha abalinda baze babe

neminyaka engu-18 nangaphezulu.

If you start drinking before you’re 15, you are four times more likely to develop a drinking problem than other teens that wait until they’re 18 or older. Alcoholism tends to run in families and if you have an alcoholic parent, you may be at a higher risk.

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There is the fear of rejection or being made fun of. You are not the only one. Teens all over the world want to be liked and don’t want to lose their friends. Sometimes you feel confused, so you just say “yes”.

Resisting peer pressure is diff cult

I don’t want to Pressure from friends

Ho ba motjha ho ka baka tsitsipano.7

i“Everybody’s doing it”, so it must be okay and if you say “no”, you run the risk of being labeled a nerd or becoming a social outcast. Peer pressure is when someone convinces you to do something against your better judgement. It can happen without you realising it.

For example: you feel you should drink because all your friends do and you want to be like them. Or it can be more obvious. Or even threatening, like it was for Caroline, where a friend says “Just have a taste, what’s the big deal?” Or “do it or we’ll tell everyone you’re a loser”.

Either way, it’s forcing you to do something that you don’t want to do. Rising above these challenges is one of the skills that will help make you a successful adult – any loser can say yes, but stand-up guys stand up! #StandUpGuy

Saying “no” to drinking in situations like at a party can be hard. The first time may be especially difficult, but keep at it, it gets easier.

Firstly, understand and prepare your heart-felt reason for not wanting to drink. It could be because you’d rather concentrate on sport or school, or for religious reasons. Or just because you want to wait until it’s right (and legal). Don’t feel like you need to apologise, or blame your choice on others. Stand your ground without lame excuses. It’s your right to say “not for me, thank you.” #Ownit

So how do you resist drinking when you don’t want to?

Kwenye inkathi ufuna ukuba ube yingxenye

yabathile. Noma abangane bakho

baphakamise ukuthi kufanele uphuze ukuze wemuke-

leke ube yingxenye yeqembu.

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“We know about the effects of alcohol abuse. Everyone knows that it’s bad for you…your liver will fail or you will get brain damaged...People still do it partly because of peer pres-sure...Your friends do it [so] you do too.” – Vusi D, Manguang, 16

Physically asserting yourself will make people take your ‘no’ seriously: Stand up straight Make eye contact Say how you feel clearly, don’t mumble

‘The Positive No’ is a good technique for resisting and maintaining your cred. Unlike an ordinary “no”, a ‘Positive No’ begins with a “yes” and ends with a “yes”. The Positive No involves, first of all, saying yes to yourself and what is important to you. Here’s an example: Yes: “I need to go to soccer practice because I want to play for South Africa one day.”

No: “So I cannot go drinking with you.”

Yes!: “I value our friendship. I still want to hang out with you, I’m just choosing not to drink with you.”

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Hollywood starlet, Drew Barrymore, grew up in the limelight. She starred in the blockbuster, ET, when she was only seven. But by age 11, she was an alcoholic, and was admitted to rehab at 14. Her turbulent teens threatened to compromise her talent and ruin her future. But in her 20s, she learnt to say “no”, regained her career focus, and today is a leading film producer and actress. #TurnItRound.

But there are many tragic stories that did not end as well: Lebo Mathosa being killed by her own (allegedly drunk) driver; Amy Winehouse dying young after an extreme alcohol habit and our own Brenda Fassie whose wild alcohol-fuelled lifestyle eventually resulted in her death.

Enye intsha iqala ukusebenzisakabi utshwala ineminyaka

engu-12 nangaphansi.

Tjhe e tiileng e akaretsa, sa pele, hore ee ho wena le se bohlokwa ho wena. “Tjhe e tiileng” e qala ka “ee”mme e fella ka ëe.”.

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“Kuleminyaka, sivamise ukuba ngamavukela mbuso, senze okwehluke kwaphela kulokho abazali bethu abasitshela khona. Esikhundleni sokuba sikhunjuzwe (sithethiswe) njalo...sifuna ukuba sithathe isinyathelo sokuzilawula.” - uAyanda, Egoli –oneminyaka engu-15

Caroline – we met her earlier – became an alcoholic in under two years, by the time she was 15.

She was kicked out of home, lived in houses with people she never knew, blacked out so many times she lost count, had unprotected sex enough times to be scared and had been involved in two drunken driving accidents.

After the second accident, a nurse in the hospital got her into a programme, and she managed to turn the whole thing around. Because of her “wasted years” as she calls them, she only passed matric at 21, but at least she did. Now she’s studying fashion design, and has a future.

If you think you or a friend has a problem with drinking, trust your instincts and talk to them about it, or get help, immediately. Some of the signs below could be normal behavior at your age, but if you spot several at the same time, or suddenly, or they are extreme, then there might be a problem.

Some clues include: mood swings, secrecy, absenteeism, reduced concentration, alcohol-smelling breath or ‘disguise’ substances like mint mouthwash and lots of gum.

Is it becoming a serious problem?

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“Ha ke bona batho ba nwa mebileng moo ke dulang teng, hangata ba tahilwe. Le

ha nka tshwara e le nngwenyana feela, e nkgopotsa bona, e etsa hore ke ikutlwe ke

le molahlehi.” - Poppy D, Johannesburg,16.

Some of the signs of excessive alcohol consumption:

• Being more secretive than usual

• Wild mood swings

• Missing school, bunking classes, rebelling against family and school rules

• Getting new friends and refusing to introduce you to them. They could even suddenly stop being friends with you altogether

• Having an “I don’t care attitude”: poor personal hygiene, not being interested in activities they were interested in before

• Finding alcohol in their school bag or locker

• Smelling alcohol on their breath

• Blackouts, poor concentration, blood shot eyes, lack of coordination or slurred speech

• Also watch out for sudden heavy usage of mouthwash or chewing gum (for the smell) or eye drops (for bloodshot eyes)

“When you drink, you basically miss out on your childhood. Underage drinking breeds promiscuity and irresponsibility and you forget what matters most...basically, you grow up too fast.” – Steven M, Rustenburg, 17

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If you think you have a drinking problem, or you have a friend with a problem, don’t ignore it and hope it was just ‘a couple of rough weekends’. It could happen again and it could get worse. Do something about it. Talk to them, or involve a teacher or even your friend’s parent or caregiver.

If it’s yourself that you are concerned about, ask for help from someone older that you trust. Here are some contacts that will keep your approach anonymous, and are equipped to really help.

It’s a choice. You Decide.

You Decide Helpline*

SADAG (SA Depression & Anxiety Group)Life Line

UCT Child ClinicAlcoholics Anonymous

Al-Anon

Uma ucabanga ukuthi usunenkinga

yotshwala, noma unomngane onalenkinga,ungayithatheli

phansi ucabange ukuthi bekuyizimpelasonto ezimbi.

Kusengenzeka futhi mhlawumbe kube kubi kakhulu. 13

Getting help

*The SAB ‘You Decide’ helpline is an advisory helpline only, and SAB, the DTI and NYDA cannot be held liable for any consequences arising from the advice.

You Decide Helpline*

SADAG (SA Depression & Anxiety Group)Life Line

UCT Child ClinicAlcoholics Anonymous

Al-Anon

0800 33 33 77www.youdecide.org.za (011) 262 6396(0861) 322 322(021) 650 3900(0861) 435 722(031) 304 1826(021) 595 4517

Substance Abuse and The Young: Taking Action (Medical Research Council -June 2009), A Word About Parenting Teens (American Academy of Paediatrics), Tips for Teens: The Truth About Alcohol (US Department of Health & Human Services), The Progression of Alcohol (The South African Depression & Anxiety Group), Young Peoples Drinking- Key Facts and Issues (International Center for Alcohol Policies), Young People and Alcohol (International Center for Alcohol Policies), Alcohol’s damaging effects on the brain (The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), Teenagers and Alcohol: A guide for parents and teenagers (The Industry Association for responsible Alcohol Use), Make a difference- Talk to your child about alcohol (The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), What every educator needs to know (Sarah Fisher, Bridges 1999-2003, updated by Cape Info), Are you an addict or alcoholic? (SANCA guidelines based on John Hopkins University Hospital’s questionnaire), Statistics (Central Drugs Authority, 2009), Winning your child (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University, John MacArthur and ToughLove SA), Youth and substance abuse (Die Beeld, 05.03.2010) “Keeping Your Kids Drug-Free” (National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, Office of National Drug Control Policy), Start Talking efore they start drinking (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration), Underage drinking and illicit drug use (Findings from the 2002–2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health); Teen Binge Drinking (The South African National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey 2002), The Link Between Early Alcohol Use and Alcohol Dependence (The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

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Sources:

This material was prepared by the programme’s funding partners: the Department of Trade and Industry,

the National Youth Development Agency and the South African Breweries, in collaboration with the International Center for Alcohol Policies and other

subject matter experts including the ARA and South African education and curriculum

specialists. Material is not copyrighted and may be reproduced and distributed.

www.youdecide.org.za.

You Decide.