HIGH SCHOOL TEENAGERS
The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN) look at the use of alcohol and drugs amongst school students, every year. In the most recent survey, 42 per cent of girls and 33 per cent of boys in the ninth grade said that they had drunk alcohol over the past year. These figures mean that drinking amongst high school students remains at low levels. The trend towards reduced drinking amongst ninth graders has levelled off in recent years, but the last two years have shown a renewed decline.
UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
67 per cent of 2nd year upper secondary school students state that they drink alcohol. Drinking alcohol is more common amongst girls (71 per cent) than amongst boys (64 per cent). Viewed in a longer-term perspective a lot has happened. In 2004 almost 90 per cent of students in the 2nd year of upper secondary school said that they drank alcohol.
One time, I grew my moustache out and went to the store to buy mid-strength beer. The cashier didn’t ask for ID or anything.
Stefano, aged 16, Umeå
FEWER ARE GETTING DRUNK BEFORE THE AGE OF 14
The percentage of ninth graders who got drunk before the age of 14 has fallen from around 20 per cent in 2000 to 6 per cent in this year’s survey.
FEWER DRINK.
The decline in drinking by teenagers is by no means unique to Sweden, the same trend is seen in several European and English-speaking countries. Find out more in the ”Young People Who Don’t Drink” section.
THE ROLE OF PARENTS IS IMPORTANT
The fact that the trends are moving in the right direction doesn’t mean that alcohol is no longer a problem amongst young people.
If the positive trend towards reduced drinking amongst young people is to last, efforts by society and engaged parents are vital. Remember that your role as a parent is very important.