Less juvenile drunkard

For the first time since 2066, the number of juvenile drunks in Bavaria has fallen

06/12/2013

Over the years, the number of young comasers has been steadily increasing, sparking intense debate about possible measures to curb alcohol abuse among adolescents. Now reports the DAK-health, that in 2012 for the first time since the year 2006, fewer youthful comasers were recorded in Bavaria. Still, more than 5,500 teenagers ended up in hospital for alcohol poisoning. A number that makes clear that there is still need for action here.

Citing previously unpublished statistics from the State Statistical Office, the DAK reports that the number of children and adolescents who had to be hospitalized for alcohol poisoning fell by 1.5 percent in 2012 compared to the previous year. After six years of steady growth, it was possible for the first time to detect a decline in juvenile comasers in Bavaria.

More than 5,500 adolescents due to alcohol poisoning in the hospital
According to the current statistics for Bayern were „In the past year, a total of 3,446 boys and 2,120 girls in the age group of ten to under 20 years with an alcohol into the hospital“ delivered, according to the DAK. With 5,566 people affected, 83 fewer adolescents were treated than in 2011 for their alcohol abuse. „For both boys (minus 1.3 percent) and girls (minus 1.7 percent), the number was down on the previous year“, reports the health insurance. Since 2006, the national statistics have always reported an increase in alcohol abuse of adolescents with hospitalization. The current decline is therefore quite pleasing, stressed the head of DAK health in Bavaria, Gottfried Prehofer. But „We need to intensify our prevention work with the young people“, So Prehofer continues.

Trend reversal when drinking binge or one-off effect?
The DAK expects later with a slight increase in the number of juvenile drunks in the statistics of the Bavarian State Office, „so far the children and adolescents from Bavaria, who were treated in the other federal states last year“, not yet considered. Thus, the slight decline in juvenile coma is likely to be slightly lower than the already weak 1.5 percent. Whether there is a sustained turnaround or just a one-off effect will therefore also be linked to future prevention work. The DAK wants their own information „multi-award-winning awareness campaign colorful instead of blue - art against drunkenness“ continue in 2014. The patronage will take over Bavaria's new Minister of Health Melanie Huml.

prevention campaign „colorful instead of blue“ to be continued
The campaign „colorful instead of blue“ is based on a nationwide competition in which students between the ages of twelve and 17 use posters to develop creative messages against binge drinking. At present, more than 1,900 schools in Germany are contacted by the DAK and invited to participate, according to the health insurance company. Further information can also be found on the DAK website under the search term „colorful instead of blue“. As part of the campaign, which has been taking place since 2010, more than 52,000 young artists have been able to prove their talents and at the same time contributed to the prevention of alcohol abuse, reports the DAK. (Fp)