Alcohol Awareness Month which is kept every April has been observed in the Cayman Islands for over a decade. The 2012 Campaign entitled “Healthy Choices, Healthy Communities: Prevent Underage Drinking” seeks to increase public awareness and understanding aimed at reducing the stigma that too often prevents individuals and families from seeking help.

The National Drug Council (NDC) joins many countries, communities and organisations around the world to inform the public on alcohol and alcoholism as a chronic, progressive disease, fatal if untreated, and genetically predisposed.

“The issues of alcohol-related problems and alcoholism are a complex problem, it is one which can only be solved through a sustained and cooperative effort between parents, churches, schools, community leaders, health care providers, employers and young people”, said Joan West-Dacres Executive Director of the National Drug Council.

Although the victims of alcohol-related problems are numerous, the NDC is committed to finding solutions and raising awareness on the problem and the solutions through focused prevention, treatment and recovery.

For  over 15 years, the NDC and its affiliates have been a trusted source of help, hope and healing for individuals and families who have been affected by alcoholism highlighting underage drinking.

The NDC has developed some very useful resources focused on underage drinking including the CAYMAN ISLANDS STUDENT DRUG USE SURVEY (CISDUS), which includes detailed research data on prevalence of alcohol, binge drinking, risk factors and correlates of alcohol use. Until 1998 there were no data or studies available. As a result of ongoing research done by the National Drug Council, the Cayman Islands now has comparative data.

Here are some important Facts About Underage Drinking:

• Alcohol is the number one drug of choice for Cayman’s young people, more than tobacco or illicit drugs;
• Those who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcoholism than those who begin at age 18;
• 37% of those who reported drinking had their first drink at age 11.

Together, we can make “Healthy Choices” develop “Healthy Communities” and “Prevent Underage Drinking”. For more information contact the National Drug Council at www.ndc.ky or call 949-9000.