Alcohol interferes with a person's perception of
reality and ability to make good decisions. This can be particularly hazardous for kids
and teens who have less problem-solving and decision-making experience.
"A few beers a
night with my
child - there's
no harm done"
Wrong! - There
are unwanted
side effects:
Young men are particularly vulnerable to violent attacks
by other people who've
been drinking.
Unprotected sex can lead to unintended pregnancies, or sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea, herpes or HIV.
If your child is so drunk that they're dizzy or falling over, they could do themselves
a serious injury. Pedestrians who are killed or injured in
a road accident have often been drinking.
Both women and men are
at risk of their drinks being spiked by someone. There
is a lot to be said about the dangers of drinks being spiked with drugs. However, the reality is that alcohol alone is far more likely to put you at risk, whether
you are male or female. Make sure your
child knows how
to prevent spiking,
i.e. never leave
a drink unattended
and never accept
drinks from strangers.