Drinkaware to canvass opinions on the UK’s drinking culture

UK charity The Drinkaware Trust, which aims to reduce alcohol harm, has launched a campaign intended to give the UK population their say on alcohol culture. A microsite will feature polls asking questions such as: "Is getting drunk a right of passage?" and "Should parents educate about alcohol?"

The scheme entitled ‘Young People and Alcohol: What’s the Attraction?’ will be publicised in The Guardian’s Family and Society print supplements, as well as through banner adverts on Drinkaware.co.uk and guardian.co.uk.

Once complete, the findings will be written up in SocietyGuardian, and debated by a high-profile panel which will be discussing what can be done to make sure the UK’s alcohol culture is a healthy one.

Chris Sorek, Drinkaware’s CEO, commented: "Alcohol is part of our national culture but according to the latest government figures, 360,000 11-15 year olds get drunk every week, putting themselves at risk of harm to the liver, depression and damage to the developing brain, as well as longer term problem drinking."

For further information, click here .

And to add your voice to the debate on Britain’s alcohol culture, click here .

Alexis Hercules, 25.02.09