Prof. Dra. Petra Mª Pérez Catedrática de Teoría de la Educación Directora del Instituto de Creatividad e Innovaciones Educativas Universidad de Valencia Valencia, 17 th September 2008 Parents’ right to speak Guide for taking responsible decisions towards alcohol consumption (parents of 6-13 years old children) 3 rd AER Alcohol Peer Review Preventing alcohol-related harm among young people & children

Some figures from Spain Alcohol consumption among Spaniards Moderate alcohol consumption is part of Spanish culture and diet Fermented drinks specially: beer, wine, cider Linked with food and social meetings (most of drinks are consumed in on-trade channel: bars, restaurants…) This consumption is considered correct provided that it occurred among adult population and in a moderate way Alcohol consumption regulation No alcohol consumption allowed under age of 18 Specific regulation in regions: consumption is still allowed above

Some figures from Spain Alcohol consumption among minors 1 The average age for first alcohol consumption in Spain is 13,8 years old 58% of students (14-18 years old) have drunk alcohol during the last month Weekends / mixed spirits Increase of abuse and cases of drunkenness / binge drinking Recent tendency: decrease of alcohol consumption Recent phenomenon in Spain known as “botellón” Teens meet in parks, streets and other open spaces to enjoy, talk… and DRINK Parents facing up the issue 2 Alcohol consumption among minors is considered as the second most important health problem by Spanish parents Only the 52,6% speak with their children about this matter Parents don’t feel responsible for avoiding situations such as “botellón” Too authoritarian or too permissive parents generally have children that abuse alcohol more than the rest 1 Observatorio Español sobre Drogas. PND, Los padres ante las nuevas formas de consumo de alcohol de sus hijos. Cortés, MT

What can we do? 02 ≠ Prevent, inform, educate Prevention must start from the first years at school, before young people face start alcohol consumption and “botellón” time Teenagers are a bad time for banning Informing about the facts and consequences of alcohol consumption by minors and the consumption of alcohol misuse by adults Minors can see how their parents consume wine or beer in a responsible way, but they can’t do it because they are too young Educating minors in how to take responsible decisions towards alcohol consumption Involving the hole society: family environment is essential Being aware of the social context in Spain: Responsible vs. inappropriate consumption 04 Personal belief AttitudesActions

How? “Parents’ right to speak” campaign Educational program to help parents educate their children towards taking responsible decisions about alcohol consumption It also helps them to tackle difficult situations such as excessive consumption Informative guide Tool for parents It helps them to reinforce skills in this difficult duty and provides useful information and guidelines More than guides distributed Long term campaign Held during the last four years Current project

How? “Parents’ right to speak” campaign How to get in touch with parents? In collaboration with the two most relevant parents organizations in Spain: Giving talks to parents Release of key messages through the media Press conferences Broadcast of interviews With the support of The Brewers of Spain And the backing of the Ministry of Food Specific agreements with Regional Governments

07 Free guide available Collaborating associations CONCAPA y CEAPA Internet: Requests: /