Alcohol - Parents, children and you.

“1 in 10 young people who have drunk alcohol have ended up in trouble with the police”.
Alcohol can reduce your child’s inhibitions and make them do things which are out of character.

They can get involved in anti-social/criminal behaviour within a community.

This could lead to your child being involved with the police and possibly resulting in your child getting a criminal record which can make it harder for them to get a job when they’re older.

It can also affect them if they are going abroad because some countries may refuse entry to people with a criminal record.

Alcohol can make your child more likely to be:

• A victim of a violent assault or other crimes.

It has been found that the younger people are when they drink the more likely they are to be a victim of violence.

It can also make them more vulnerable to:

• Injuries from accidents, for example falls and road accidents;

• Using other drugs or solvents;

• Unwanted sexual activity, unsafe sexual activity, which can lead to sexually transmitted infections (STI) or unplanned pregnancy;

• Problems at school, such as poorer school performance or truancy;

• Having difficulties in relationships with family or friends.
For more information


• For support and advice for parents, contact the Parents’ Advice Centre confidential and free helpline on 0808 8010 722 or go to www.parentsadvicecentre.org


• For adults on alcohol go to www.knowyourlimits.info


• If you are worried about poor mental health, either your own or that of your child, or interested in maintaining good mental health, go to www.mindingyourhead.info


• If you are in distress or despair, contact Lifeline, a free and confidential 24 hour helpline on 0808 808 8000