Koninklijk Horeca Nederland Woerden have release analysis of 2 recent surveys in Holland: the National Drugs Monitor Trimbos Institute Utrecht (longitudinal): part of HBSC (Health Behaviour School Aged children) and the NIGZ (National Institute for Health improvement and Prevention of illness). The analysis found that the perceived image that youth drinks both more and more often, is not correct. Developing policy to prevent alcohol abuse by young people is useful, but not on the basis of the assumption that they drink more and heavier and that the current policy needs to be intensified by stronger enforcing instruments.

Possible explanations suggested for these developments are not always accurate. One is that the number of young people with a Muslim background is increasing in Holland that this has an effect on the alcohol use and abuse of young people. Though there is probably some effect, it’s not as clear-cut as it seems. The number of young people whose parents originate from Morocco and Turkey was already increasing significantly in the nineties as well. In that period all the variables of alcohol (ab)use increased. Two other factors frequently named in the Dutch alcohol discussion are the increased enforcement by the Keuringsdienst van Waren KvW (enforcement agency for the Dutch Alcohol and Hospitality Act) and the influence of the euro. These two factors can only influence the 2002 figures; the euro was introduced on January 1st 2002 and the KvW intensified its enforcement in the same period. This does not account for the decreasing figures starting already in 1999 and 2001.

Is there an explanation? Is the recent development a prelude of the development for say the next 10 years? Contrary to the early nineties, the alcohol abuse of young people is an important issue. There is an awareness among pub owners and other licensees that it is ‘not done’ to sell alcohol to people under a certain age. It’s safe to say that this awareness isn’t as widespread under parents as it is under licensees. Dutch information and communication schemes never succeeded on gaining the attention of parents. Moreover, it seems that parents are getting more and more accustomed to a national and local government that keeps them safe from every possible hazard, whether that’s in the form of alcohol, tobacco, nutrition hazards, road safety, etc.

Among young people themselves, there are signs that something of peer pressure to not drink too much alcohol, is developing. Not so long ago, this peer pressure was directed in another direction, i.e. pressing ones friends to drink heavily. The last three years or so, there is a tendency that it’s ‘uncool’ to display excessive behaviour. This goes for violence, drugs as well as alcohol.

Report by Peter de Wolf