Dunkley: Only YOU can prevent alcohol abuse

I am pleased to be here today to take part in the launching of Alcohol Awareness Month. This April, CADA will hold a series of events and activities to highlight the importance of preventing underage drinking and promoting responsible drinking once of age.

The 2012 survey of “Students on Knowledge and Attitudes of Drugs and Health” shows Bermudian students as early as middle school and sometimes even younger are confronted with decisions about alcohol and other drugs on a regular basis.

This same study reports that students rank alcohol as the second easiest drug to access, and the first place students usually access it is from parents and guardians, followed by access from their peers. Not surprisingly, the report reveals that most students currently using alcohol drink at home. It is apparent that we have a serious problem. It is Bermuda’s problem, and its solution is Bermuda’s responsibility.

This month we are encouraging parents, guardians, teachers, and all responsible adults to have an open dialogue with OUR children about not drinking alcohol until the legal age of 18 and practicing responsible drinking and alcohol behaviour after reaching 18. Study after study shows that even during the teen years, parents have enormous influence on their children’s behaviour. Your kids will listen!

We have developed a social culture that sets drinking alcohol as a rite of passage. These attitudes need to change. The reality is that alcoholism is a serious disease that has spread rapidly amongst OUR students from as young as 11 to 19 years old. This sad statistic proves there is no age limit to alcohol dependency. We can no longer take lightly what alcohol is doing to our children. 

As Minister of Public Safety, I, along with the rest of the Government of Bermuda, am committed to doing the right thing to prevent underage drinking and promote responsible drinking practices. It is our responsibility as a community to tackle this important issue, if not, we will have more young lives affected by alcoholism, more antisocial behaviour, inadequate school performances, and more road fatalities.  The Department of National Drug Control is on the front-line of our prevention efforts and through their work we will spread the word in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse.

As the summer draws near, a time that Bermudians typically associate with partying, let’s use this Alcohol Awareness Month to ensure that all of Bermuda is educated on responsible alcohol behaviour.

Thank you.