Alcohol and youth: Time for effective action

Abstract

In sum, Mitic and Greschner's analysis has shown that alcohol is a significant public health problem among our children and youth. The simple solutions of the past - prohibiting alcohol to underage drinkers and encouraging everyone to drink less - are not sufficient to meet the challenge. What is required is a mix of strategies, including more targeted prevention initiatives based on sound research. To be credible and more effective, prevention messages must recognize that young Canadians will be drinking and must provide them with the best information available on how to reduce the chances that drinking will lead to harm. Finding the right balance between control measures and harm reduction strategies will be difficult, but clearly it is time to end the benign neglect that has characterized public responses to the problems of alcohol and youth.