They learn it at an early age |22 March 2014

Have you ever been standing somewhere in town and inadvertently overheard a group of youngsters talking about their weekend.

I have, and on more than one occasion. It was surprising to hear what they had to say, especially about what they considered to be a weekend well spent.

Apparently for youths nowadays, the weekend is a time for partying and getting drunk. It was interesting to hear that their views of having a great time is one whereby there are lots of alcohol, and whereby everyone gets insanely drunk. Apparently, the drunker you get the more respect and acceptance you gain from your peers.

Although, I do not believe that this way of thinking has only recently come about, but I instead believe that it was here all along, and was not taken seriously, until the drunken youths of today started to get out of control. They began to do more and the things they do have become worse that what were done in the past.

I smile when I hear adults chatting among themselves about how shameful it is to see a group of kids partying and getting drunk on the beach, getting drunk in town, or coming out of night clubs drunk. The reason I say it’s funny is because some of the time, these same adults are the ones saying that a party isn’t a party without alcohol and they would recount the parties that were so great because they were drunk, and did this and did that, and did all so many funny and embarrassing things. So why then are we so surprise that the youths follow our examples and do exactly what we adults do.

How many times in a party have we offered them a sip of our drink, and then praised and cheered them on when they drank it?

How many parents have spoken highly of their teenage child because he/she drinks this kind of alcohol or that kind of alcohol?

What do they see us do at parties when we get drunk?

I am not saying that it’s OK or not OK for them to be drinking alcohol. Instead I would like for us adults to understand that we need to lead by example and not close our eyes to the role we play in the decisions our children make in their life today and how their decisions affect others around them.

Alcohol is just as much of a treat for the youths of Seychelles as drug is. They drink alcohol not understanding that it too is a drug, because it too messes with our brain chemistry and our physical functioning.

For the youths, I would ask you to take time and do some research on the effects that alcohol has on your body and mind. Know what you are putting into your body. Do not do something just because your friends or parents are doing it. You are your own person, so you have the right to your own opinion, and the right to choose what you want to do. If your friend cannot accept your choices because it is different from theirs, then you have to think hard at if those friends are truly the ones you need and if you need friends who do not respect the decisions you make. If you really want to consume alcohol, then please do so moderately.

Contributed by K. B.