The extreme use of alcohol is becoming a dilemma on a global scale, resulting in a variety of social problems touching all walks of life. In northern Ireland the Chief Medical Officer – Dr Michael McBride has identified the extensive use of alcohol amid the younger generation. In Northern Ireland children as young as 11 are consuming alcohol and by the age of 16 it is believed four out of five teenagers will have had an alcoholic drink of some description. Dr McBride proposes that the basis behind so many young people are turning to drink in Northern Ireland is to add to their social and sexual confidence and requests greater awareness of the harm that alcohol can do.

Sadly extreme consumption of alcohol amid teenagers is having a harmful impact on communities across Northern Ireland mainly in urban areas. Within 2 years child crime has increased by around 20% mainly fueled by alcoholic consumption among children as young as seven. In comparison, burglary, vehicle crime and criminal damage have seen little or no rise while alcohol-related offences have increased by as much as a third.

In Northern Ireland The Garda youth diversion programme has been put in place to try and curb this anti social behavior with some positive results. Children suspected of crimes under this system are given the chance to redeem themselves by compensating or apologizing to victims. Around 60-70% of the children have not re-offended within the first year after being submitted into this venture.

Obviously these problems are not confined to Northern Ireland and across the globe countries are taking their own measures to reduce the social effects of alcohol-related incidents.

In recent years millions have been invested on an yearly basis by drink companies in Kenya on measures to battle alcohol abuse, underage drinking and drink driving. Purchases of alcoholic beverages have soared and these companies have invested a great deal of time in projects to try and decrease the sometimes negative effect. Advertising, warnings on bottle labels and bartender training are just some of the methods that have been implemented.

The National Alcohol Beverages Association of Kenya (Nabak) working in conjunction with The Pubs Entertainment Restaurants Association of Kenya (Perak) have been guiding the drinking habits of Kenyans by encouraging alcohol selling outlets to promote sensible drinking. The result has been very positive resulting in a major downward trend in underage drinking as a result of recent campaigns.

Other countries are using other techniques in their fight to control alcohol abuse. Australia has brought in restrictions in its Northern Territory, and in some towns photo identification must be shown when purchasing alcoholic drinks. These new procedures have not gone down well with everyone and some publicans have been subjected to abuse, but generally the consensus amongst retailers is that this is a decisive step in the right direction in the fight against the increasing social problems connected to alcohol.

Amy is a freelance journalist writing about The Drink Shop at eComparison.