Preventing underage drinking
The Legal Assistance Centre is pleased to announce that for the second year running, the Coalition on Responsible Drinking (CORD) and the Self-Regulating Alcohol Industry Forum (SAIF) have supported the reprinting of the LAC pamphlet Preventing underage drinking: A guide to individual and community action.
In order from left to right: Horst Heimstadt, SAIF Co-ordinator; Lemmy Shapopi SAIF Secretary (Castle Brewing); Patricia Hoeksema, SAIF Chairperson , (Namibian Breweries); Dianne Hubbard, Co-ordinator, Gender Research and Advocacy Project at the Legal Assistance Centre; Grace Kapere, Gender Research and Advocacy Project.
In 2010 the Gender Research and Advocacy Project at the LAC distributed nearly 1 million copies of its publications, including 10 000 copies of the preventing underage drinking pamphlet – virtually the entire stock the LAC had of the pamphlet. In 2011 CORD and SAIF have supported the reprinting of 50 000 copies to ensure that the LAC can continue its widespread distribution strategy and to allow as many people as possible to have access to information about underage drinking.
The pamphlet provides information about the social problems associated with underage drinking and the impact on health; gives information about what the law says about underage drinking; and suggests ideas for community action if the public is aware that underage drinking is a problem in their community.
Designed in a colourful and simple format, the pamphlet fills an important information gap in Namibia. Many people contact the Legal Assistance Centre to ask for information about how to address underage drinking and this pamphlet provides answers to this question.
The Self-regulating Alcohol Industry Forum (SAIF) is an association comprising of members that include most of the manufacturers and distributors of alcohol beverages in Namibia, namely Namibia Breweries Limited, Distell, CIC, SMC Brands, Castle Brewing Namibia, House of Wines, African Marketing, Camelthorn Brewing Company and United Liquor Agencies.
SAIF is focused on the prevention of the negative consequences of alcohol abuse. The forum’s mission is to reduce alcohol-related harm through combating the misuse and abuse of alcohol beverages and promoting only their responsible use. SAIF furthermore intends to change the reputation of alcohol in society.
Facts about underage drinking in Namibia
A study on alcohol use in Namibia found that more than half of the respondents felt that youth had easy access to alcohol, and almost half felt that communities were contributing to alcohol use by youth in some way:
- 66 65% of respondents agreed that it was easy for the youth to get access to alcohol at shops in their community.
- 66 57% of respondents believed that it was easy for the youth to get access to home-brewed alcohol in their communities.
- 66 49% of respondents agreed that in their community, very young children were given home-brewed alcohol to ease their hunger or stop them from crying.
- 66 41% of respondents felt that their communities had become more tolerant of underage drinking.
SIAPAC (for Ministry of Health and Social Services), Nationwide Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice (KAP) Baseline Survey on Alcohol and Drug Use and Abuse in Namibia, 2002.
For more information please contact:
Rachel Coomer
Public Outreach Manager
Gender Research and Advocacy Project
Legal Assistance Centre
rcoomer@lac.org.na
061 223356Read more about alcohol
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