The summer holidays provide a perfect opportunity to unwind, reconnect with friends and family, pursue hobbies, and enjoy the longer days and warmer temperatures. It’s also a time when older teenagers often take on casual work to fund their summer activities, such as purchasing new clothes, beauty products, or the latest technology, as well as enjoying the vibrant social scene.

The season sees an increase in outdoor gatherings, including bonfires, barbecues, and parties, where refreshments often include not only snacks but, unfortunately, also alcoholic beverages.

The issue of alcohol consumption by children and young people has been a long-standing concern for law enforcement. Andrzej Borowiak, a spokesperson for the Wielkopolska police, highlighted the challenges of tracking down places where underage individuals purchase alcohol due to their reluctance to cooperate.

In an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza, Borowiak explained, "It is extremely challenging to confirm whether the law has been violated when minors purchase alcohol, as they are often unwilling to disclose the place of purchase. It becomes a matter of one person's word against another's. Nevertheless, we diligently investigate every report we receive."

"Our statistics show that in this six-month period alone, police officers intervened in 380 cases involving minors under the influence of alcohol," the spokesperson revealed.

Dr Donata Jarmołowska-Jurczyszyn, deputy medical director of the Specialized Health Care Centre for Women and Children in Poznań, also addressed the issue of alcohol consumption among young people. In an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza, the doctor stated, "In many instances, we admit young patients accompanied by law enforcement, arriving at the hospital by ambulance. Additionally, we also encounter cases where children are brought to the emergency department with suspected alcohol poisoning. We promptly report such incidents."

In 2024, the Specialized Health Care Centre for Women and Children in Poznań has reported 32 instances of children consuming alcohol to the local authorities. Dr Jarmołowska-Jurczyszyn explained, "We alert the police even if parents insist it was a one-time event. We strictly adhere to our procedures."

The doctor also revealed that the youngest child brought to the hospital under the influence of alcohol was 14 years old. Notably, the most significant issue with alcohol concerns 15-year-olds, with both boys and girls being affected.

The Ministry of Health has conducted an investigation into the most frequently consumed alcoholic beverages by minors. According to the report, "In 2018, students were most likely to choose beer as their preferred alcoholic beverage, followed by vodka, wine, and other strong alcoholic drinks. Beer has become a common feature in the recreational activities of young people, such as camping trips, parties, and discos. The results of nationwide ESPAD (European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs) surveys indicate that over 92% of 15- and 16-year-olds, and 96% of 17- and 18-year-olds, consume alcohol."

Ewa Gordziej-Niewczyk, a psychologist and specialist in addiction therapy at the Institute of Psychology and Child Education in Poznań, raised questions about why children and young people turn to alcohol. In an interview with Gazeta Wyborcza, she said, "The reasons for consuming stimulants are diverse. For instance, it may result from the desire to fit in and peer pressure from someone seen as ‘cool’ or the need to feel accepted within a group. However, this is not the only reason. Feeling low makes it more tempting to turn to such substances. Often, adolescents seek to escape their problems or to form connections they struggle to establish while sober due to a lack of positive experiences or freedom. Substances and illicit drugs facilitate this for them."

Source: Gazeta Wyborcza