If you see children drinking alcohol - is it a problem? We responded to a recent survey about the children in the UK being among the biggest drinkers in Europe.
Long term effects of drinking alcohol can be:
- Certain types of cancer
- Memory loss, brain damage & dementia
- Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
- Liver disease such as cirrhosis and liver cancer
- Stomach ulcers
The short effects can be:
- Anxiety.
- Sexual difficulties such as impotence.
- Accident and injuries
- Slowed breathing and heartbeat.
- Suffocation through choking on your own vomit.
- Potentially fatal poisoning.
We interviewed pupils at our school to find out about their opinions.
Do you know anyone between 9 and 15 who drink?
Yes, at parties and on the streets
At the parties are their parents present and do they allow them to drink?
Yes, the parents are there, but the parents don't know they are drinking.
Do you think this encourages them to drink on the streets?
Yes, because it makes them feel big
When you see them drinking on the street, what is on your mind?
They are jumping around and out of control, so you can feel scared.
Does this make you want to drink?
No.
Do you think there is a problem with underage drinking?
Yes, because there's too many people drinking.
So, if the UK has a problem with underage drinking what do you think we should do about it?
Elisha, 12 and James, 11 Reporting for the BBC school report!