BY DIANNE WAKETSI

The increase in underage drinking in Papua New Guinea has become a common sight in communities and poses a serious public health problem.

Not only are children susceptible of injuring themselves during drunken brawls, we have to deal with damage of property and health risks.

While under PNG law the legal age for drinking is 18, liquor shops and clubs are not observing this law.

The sole reason behind legislating minimum drinking ages is to prevent certain harms which could result from underage youths consuming alcohol before they are physically or emotionally ready to do so.

Yet research shows that imposing legal restrictions on access to beverage alcohol, in and of itself, is not an adequate prevention measure.

Key influences such as parents, other family members, peers, educators, and role models contribute to young peoples’ choices about whether or not they decide to drink.