Alcohol among reasons young people given support

In 2022, 27% of young people reported they had drunk more alcohol than intended

Alcohol remains one of the biggest reasons young people in Guernsey are referred to support services, a charity has said.

The Action for Children substance team said they had seen between 60 to 70 young people referred to them due to alcohol issues, with 97% of those receiving support.

In 2022, the Young People's Survey conducted by the States of Guernsey, showed 32% of year 11 students had consumed alcohol seven days before the survey, this had gone up by 8% from 2019.

About 80% of those who receive support from the service have significantly reduced their substance use, the charity said.

'Diversionary, positive activity'

Action for Children works regularly with young people who are struggling with substance use or at risk of developing substance use issues.

Aaron Davies, service manager for charity in Guernsey, said: "For some young people, their first encounter with alcohol will be their brain pushing its limits and wanting to take risks.

"But for some young people, they reach out to substances to cope with other issues going on in their life."

Students at St Sampson's High School said they were engaged and could get involved during the performance

The charity has one-to-one support, a substance use service and also delivers lessons in schools.

Mr Davies wants to look at how to develop services to target those who may be at a higher risk of developing substance use issues.

"What we want to see is opportunity for young people to take risks in healthy ways," he said.

"So it's looking at how we develop diversionary, positive activity on the island."

Action for Children also provides PSHE [Personal, social, health and economic education] lessons to students in secondary education to advise them of the risks of alcohol use.