Around 4 in 10 students in Cyprus reported excessive alcohol consumption in the last month, while 1 in 10 students (11%) reported being drunk, according to data presented as part of the Alcohol Alert project, organised in Agros between 13-15 May, by the Cyprus Youth Centres Organisation with the support of the Erasmus+ programme.
According to a statement by the Youth Centres, the aim of the programme was to inform and raise awareness among young people about alcohol abuse and to identify the harmful factors affecting young people. It involved the voluntary participation of 50 young people aged 18-30 years old who were informed by an important group of facilitators in order to become the real influencers on the issue of alcohol abuse and addiction.
As mentioned in the programme, in Cyprus, estimates show that at least 4.5% of the population, i.e. 45,000-50,000 people, are addicted to alcohol. It is also reported that students in Cyprus seem to consume alcohol more frequently than students in Europe, but in smaller quantities. In particular, it is noted that around 1 in 10 students (11%) reported binge drinking in the last month, while of those who had used alcohol in the last month, around 4 in 10 reported excessive alcohol consumption.
The same data, report that Cypriot students find it much easier to find alcohol, compared to their other European peers, with 8 in 10 students reporting that it is easy/very easy to find alcohol.
In the communication on the results of the project, it is noted that there were strong reactions from the participants to the fact that there is only one state-run rehabilitation centre in Cyprus, the Therapeutic Unit for Dependent Persons, which has six beds.
Finally, the Cyprus Youth Centres Organisation states that the issue of "Alcohol Abuse and Addiction" remains another taboo locked behind attitudes, politics, traditions but mainly indecisiveness to come out in the open and be addressed.
That is why it concludes that "through its actions and programmes it will continue to actively contribute to raising awareness among young people in Cyprus on various issues, while in cooperation with its members, governmental bodies, non-governmental organisations, the business world and civil society, it develops and promotes the implementation of effective measures to support young people."
Source: CNA
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