XN000022-1994-12-20 — Page 9

8 -

Positive action to tackle underage drinking

The following is issued on behalf of the Commission on Youth:

Positive action was required to tackle the problem of underage drinking, the Chairman of the Commission on Youth, Mr Eric Li Ka-cheung, said at a press conference to announce the initial recommendations of a working group on underage drinking today (Tuesday).

Mr Li, who is also the chairman of the working group, said people generally accepted that controlled consumption of alcohol was not a bad thing.

"Nevertheless, the fact that low doses of a substance might not be harmful under certain circumstances never implies that higher doses of these substances are safe," he cautioned.

He pointed out that overseas studies had indicated that adolescents could make some very unhealthy choices whilst under the influence of alcohol.

"These can include undue risk-taking and drug-taking.

"And accidents are often the result of heavy drinking," he added.

Highlighting the working group's recommendations on the problem, Mr Li stressed that public education was crucial to changing young people's attitude towards drinking and enhancing their knowledge of the dangers of alcohol abuse.

He said: "The working group believes that young people develop attitudes towards alcohol and drinking from what their peers and parents do and say.

"It is therefore important that parents should develop the right attitudes towards drinking and remind young people of the dangers of alcohol abuse and the harmful effects of drinking."

Acknowledging the fact that very little research had been done on the extent of underage drinking in Hong Kong, Mr Li said it was essential to conduct a comprehensive study on the subject before any specific measures could be done to tackle the problem.