Fifth and sixth grade students drink up to 20 glasses of alcohol per occasion: Conadic

The National Commission against Addictions conducted a survey among students that revealed that more than five million young people in the country have consumed alcohol. Of them, 110 thousand already have a dependence "and a need for integral treatment in which the whole family should be involved".

In Mexico, 20 percent of the students in the fifth and sixth grades of primary education consume alcohol excessively; that is, they can consume up to 20 drinks per occasion, said the general director of addiction treatment and treatment in charge of the Dispatch of the National Commission against Addictions (Conadic), Nora Frías.

"It has become a very big problem. The most serious thing is that the average age at the beginning of consumption has decreased to 10 years, "Dr. Frías said.

During the inauguration of the 24th National Week of Information against Alcoholism "Sharing Efforts," Frias noted that in 2014 Conadic conducted a survey among students that revealed that more than five million young people in the country have consumed alcohol.

Of them, 110 thousand already have a dependence "and a need for integral treatment in which the whole family should be involved".

In the same event, María del Carmen Fernández Cáceres, general director of the Youth Integration Centers (CIJ), explained that 90 percent of young people who come to these centers consume alcohol.

"In total, 17 million Mexicans consume alcohol excessively, but what is worrying are the numbers of young people, where we can see that 15 percent of high school and high school students have had severe alcoholism problems," she explained.

In turn, Dr. Frías recalled that according to the national survey of addictions, national consumption increased between 2011 and 2016 by 93 percent in the case of men and 205 percent in that of women.

The 24th National Week of Information against Alcoholism seeks to support people who have problems with their drinking and raise awareness about the problem of alcoholism.

Dr. Roberto Karam Araujo, president of the Board of the Central American General Services Alcoholics Anonymous, said that this year's Information Week will be focused on sports.

"It has been shown that sport is a protective factor against alcoholism. We want to guide people suffering from this disease to reflect and obtain information, "he said.

He recalled that many times the practice of sport is accompanied by alcohol consumption because "there is a low perception of risk."

Therefore, he said, what will be sought in these days is to highlight the social benefits and promote the positive aspects of sport, "besides not being fooled by marketing".

Alcoholics Anonymous will establish modules throughout the country in various institutions and allied centers to bring information to the population about the risks of drinking alcohol and how to treat the disease of alcoholism through support groups.

Source: SinEmbargo