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local
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Extra money and foreign students
contribute to binge drinking
By Miriam
Dunn
Although research shows that binge drinking among youngsters in
Malta is not so widespread as it is in other European countries,
there is still an indication that it is on the rise, according to
the chief executive of The Sense Group, Joe Farrugia.
His comments come just a couple of days after Sedqa – the
government agency against drug and alcohol abuse – called
for the alcohol age limit to be raised from 16 to 18.
Mr Farrugia, who was speaking to MaltaToday as the group prepares
to launch its summer campaign, believes that there are a number
of factors contributing to the trend of increased drinking among
youths.
"I would suggest that two of the significant ones are an
increase in spending power among the younger generation and the
influence of foreign students," he said.
Mr Farrugia pointed out that the ESPAD survey indicates a higher
incidence of drunkenness among youths from Scandinavian countries.
"This trend could filter into the local culture if some
of these youths who are here as foreign language students mix
with the Maltese youngsters," he said.
While stressing he was not branding all foreign language students
with the same brush, Mr Farrugia highlighted some of the reasons
that foreign students might be tempted to binge drinking, such
as being away from home and easier access to alcohol than they
might have in their home countries.
"And I can say that during my regular visits to Paceville,
while I have seen foreign students walking around with a bottle
of Vodka, I has never seen a Maltese youth doing the same,"
he added.
The Sense Group, which is supported by companies producing and
selling alcoholic beverages in Malta, will be campaigning against
binge drinking this summer, especially among youngsters who are
more likely to be out partying during the hot months and also
at village feasts.
Mr Farrugia said that he believes the best message to promote
is one of drinking in moderation, while urging youngsters not
to make fools of themselves through excessive alcohol consumption.
"Research in other countries shows that warning youngsters
that they can end up acting the fool by overdoing drinking is
much more effective than simply demonising alcohol altogether,
especially when one bears in mind that youngsters are particularly
image-conscious," he explained. "This is why part of
our advertising campaign, including the slots at the cinema, use
the phrase ‘Don’t make a fool of yourself’."
Mr Farrugia believes the way forward is to target specific issues
where alcohol abuse could be a problem, which is why the anti-binge
summer campaign has also targeted village feasts.
"At the ‘festas’ there is the opportunity to drink
large amounts in short periods of time, and the hot weather can
also exacerbate the effect this has on the person," he said.
"In some instances, there is also the aggravation that exists
between rival; band clubs, which makes for a potentially explosive
situation. This is a shame because it distorts everything that
a village feast should stand for."
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