PETALING JAYA, May 29 — Alcohol consumption among schoolgoing children is a growing trend as these youngsters have easy access to such drinks.

From convenience stores to the neighbourhood bar, teenagers do not seem to have a problem gaining access to a cold bottle of beer at their convenience. 

Suriana Welfare Society for Children chairman James Nayagam said the trend would only lead to teens struggling with alcoholism into their adulthood.

James, who has 35 years’ experience dealing with juveniles and troubled youths, said he had come across children as young as 13 consuming alcohol.

“This 13-year-old girl came to see me for help after she became an alcoholic because of peer pressure. She just had to drink everyday and she had no one to turn to for help,” he said. 

“When she came to see me, she was forced to stop drinking. At first, she suffered from withdrawal symptoms but following counselling sessions, she managed to overcome her addiction.”

He said he had also come across cases of teenagers getting raped as they were too intoxicated. 

Those who abused alcohol from a young age also had lower self-esteem and some eventually turned to drugs. 

“Most of them start off with alcohol and they soon jump to the next thing that excites them,” he said.

“They will either become sexually vulnerable or they start trying designer drugs such as Ecstasy.”

James said there were about 200 children in the Petaling area abusing alcohol without their parents’ knowledge.

He said increasing the age limit for alcohol consumption without proper enforcement and monitoring would not be a long-term solution to underage drinking.

“There are cases where parents are in the dark over their child’s alcohol addiction. In addressing underage drinking, dialogue and engagement are a better approach,” he said. 

“Merely changing the laws is not an effective solution.”

He said campaigns prohibiting underage drinking had not been successful. 

Penang Hindu Association deputy president P. Murugiah said teachers in the state had complained that schoolchildren were drinking fruity-flavoured beer that had alcohol content of between 12 and 17 per cent.

“We have also heard that schoolchildren have access to cheap liquor that costs from RM1.80, and they would mix it with carbonated drinks,” he said. 

“Increasing the age limit alone will not solve the problem if the children are not educated on the dangers of alcohol abuse.”

National Parent Teacher Association chairman Prof Datuk Mohamad Ali Hasan said teenagers would continue to have easy access to liquor if those selling them were only concerned about profits. 

“There are cases of children in school uniform buying alcohol from eateries, and waiters and shop assistants do not turn them away,” he said. 

“It is the same with the sale of tobacco. Even though there is a age limit of 18, you often see students buying cigarettes.”

National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Datuk Lok Yim Pheng said teachers had come across students who consumed alcohol before attending school. 

“Disciplinary action is often taken and some are suspended,” she said.

“But the number of students involved in alcohol abuse is lower compared to drug abuse.”  

Lok said children in urban areas were more prone to alcohol abuse as the drinks were easily available at convenience stores. 

“Students in the city are exposed to advertisements promoting alcohol and they think it is all right to start drinking from a young age,” she said.

“Parents are also to be blamed as some allow their kids to drink on occasions and this could lead to bigger problems.”