Make the essay more personalised in its analysis of personal barriers and enablers: According to a 2022/2023 study conducted in Australia, 65% of secondary school students have consumed alcohol in their lifetime (Scully et al., 2023). Alcohol, a depressant, has a greater impact on the developing teenage brain than on the adult brain, causing long-term changes that result in cognitive deficits, memory issues, and mental health disorders (Lees et al., 2020). This presentation will examine the personal barriers and enablers that influence my relationship with alcohol. Furthermore, a collaborative harm reduction strategy will be suggested and evaluated for its ability to reduce alcohol-related harm among adolescents.
Numerous personal factors serve as barriers and enablers in my decision-making process regarding alcohol consumption. My academic responsibilities often generate considerable stress and anxiety, which may entice me to consume alcohol. In a study conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (2018), 33% of boys and 49% of girls reported feeling ‘very stressed’ in daily life. This data is concerning because stress is known to increase the risk of young people using alcohol (Sicher et al., 2022). Alcohol’s temporary stress-reducing properties may appeal to some groups of students, but associations with positive social groups can significantly curb my inclination to consume alcohol. Positive peer influences foster a sense of belonging and alleviate feelings of isolation or judgement, thus enhancing self-esteem and reducing the propensity for alcohol misuse in the future. Exposure to alcohol, whether through familial consumption or societal influences, also constitutes a barrier that significantly affects youth drinking behaviours (Fagan et al., 2024).
Media in the form of film and television are key components of my leisure activities. These platforms risk promoting reckless behaviour associated with alcohol use by marketing alcohol and creating positive associations. Additionally, observing adults consume and discuss alcohol may inadvertently shape my views towards drinking, potentially encouraging similar behaviours (Bonnie et al., 2015). However, early education plays a crucial role in countering these influences by raising awareness about the harmful consequences of alcohol use from a young age. This preventative education has been shown to deter alcohol consumption during adolescents and reduce potential future risks (Fagan et al., 2024).
To mitigate alcohol-related harm and influence group behaviour, a strategic intervention targeting students at Mansfield State High School is proposed. This initiative involves leveraging social media platforms to disseminate compelling video content highlighting the adverse effects of alcohol, thereby instilling apprehension about alcohol use among teenagers. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok—which enjoy widespread popularity among young audiences—will be utilised to maximise campaign reach (Vogels et al., 2022). By capitalising on the influential and instantaneous nature of social media, this demand reduction strategy aims to decrease adolescent interest in alcohol consumption.
With recent statistics indicating that 97% of teenagers use social media (Smout et al., 2021), the campaign promises extensive visibility and educational impact, effectively reducing alcohol demand and associated dangers. However, while the potential benefits are considerable, the strategy is not without its limitations. The implementation of this campaign requires substantial time investment and financial resources, although it remains cost-effective compared to traditional advertising methods. Ultimately, this initiative possesses the potential to reach a global audience of teenagers, significantly curbing alcohol misuse among this vulnerable group.