XN000022-1995-07-28 — Page 28

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The spokesman said: "parents and teachers are important role models and their attitudes towards drinking will have a bearing on young people.

"The working group believes that young people develop attitudes to alcohol and drinking from what their peers, parents and teachers do and say."

Since there is very little research being done on the extent of underage drinking in Hong Kong, the working group proposed a comprehensive study of the problem to assess the extent of underage drinking, draw-up a clear profile of underage drunkards and ascertain the reasons that drove young people to drink and their attitudes towards drinking.

"This would help the Government develop effective mechanisms to cultivate correct attitudes towards drinking and alcohol misuse among young people," the spokesman said.

The working group suggested the Department of Health to take the lead in conducting educational programmes and undertaking research.

The working group made these recommendations following an extensive information collection, including the examination of overseas researches from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and two focus group discussions to solicit young people's views on underage drinking.

The Commission on Youth began its study into the problem of underage drinking upon the release of the final report on the Lan Kwai Fong disaster in February 1993.

A working group was subsequently set up in December the same year to examine the possible measures to tackle the problem.

End/Friday, July 28, 1995