Transcript Preventing alcohol related harm among young people

Reducing alcohol related harm
among youth in Østfold,
Norway
Presentation for the 3rd AER
Alcohol Peer Review
Valencia 17.09. 2008
Trond Dyrseth
About Østfold
 4184 km2
 265 450 inhabitants
 18 municipalities
 5 towns, 13 rural
 WHO Healthy Cities
member
The Public Health Programme
 Partnership
 ”Public health chain”
 Holistic thinking around health
The Public Health Programme
 Cross-sector collaboration
 Develop and test practical methods
 Mobilise action, build capacity and document
the effect
Alcohol and youth
in Norway
 Dramatic increase in consumption
 1990: 3 liters
 2007: 4,8 liters
 Last 10 years 30% general 60 % youth
 Boys drink more than girls
 Average debut age 14,5 - 15
 Early debut, more consumption later
Sources: SIRUS (Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research), ESPAD 1995, 1999
Alcohol and youth
in Østfold
 National trends are in general reflected
 Lack of data sources on local level
 Differences between municipalities and
areas?
 Towns-rural
 Number of organised activities
2006 Survey
Sarpsborg high schools
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Majority never tried or tried a few times
7% 1-3 times pr month, 2% weekly
Fewer used alcohol compared to 2003
Availability is high
Most effective measures
 Parents present
 Picked up by parents
 Parents wait up or wake up
Youth survey 2008
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32 schools
1500 pupils 15-16 years
Comprehensive - 15 subject areas
Alcohol, drugs and smoking
Local measures to reduce
alcohol related harm
 Municipalities responsible
 Variety of preventive actions
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Youth clubs
Organised activity
Educational programs
Parents important
Actively target risk groups
”The Youth Patrol” in Askim
 Initiative taken by the municipality
administration
 Cooperative effort - cross institutional
 Prevent drug and alcohol use and
related crime among youth
 Later debut - lower consumption
The Youth Patrol
 Meet youth in risk groups where they
are: in the streets, clubs at parties etc.
 Police, parents, healthcare
professionals, child welfare officers
The Youth Patrol
- Goals
 Inform and empower young people to
make choices
 Contribute to a later drinking debut
 Reduce crime among youth
 Achieve greater understanding of the
problem
 Coordinate measures and cross
institutional cooperation
Target group
 Youth aged 13-18
 Risk groups
How?
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Actively seek out youth groups
Youth clubs, downtown, private parties
Friday nights
Places with higher risk of exposure to
drugs/alcohol and attracting young
people that need monitoring
Evaluation (preliminary)
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Participants positive
50% less violence in one year(!)
Effective and visible cooperation
Visible police
Contact with police
Child welfare officers work preventive
Learn from eachother
Better cooperation
Summary
 Alcohol consumption among youth is
increasing
 Availability is high
 Drinking, violence and crime is linked
 Organised activities are vital
 Effective preventive measures promote
cooperation and actively going out to youth
 Involving parents is important