ALCOHOL AND HEALTH
Alcohol is seen by many as a more socially acceptable drug, but that’s not to say it’s any less powerful than other drugs. Technically speaking, it's a nervous system depressant, which means it slows down your body's responses in all kinds of ways. Just enough can make you feel great, too much and you’ll have a hangover or worse the next day.
Young people are less equipped than adults to cope with the effects of alcohol, physically and emotionally. The same amount of alcohol will have a much greater effect on the body of a child or young person than on an adult, because their bodies are still growing and developing.
Drinking a lot can be harmful because the human body can't process a lot of alcohol at once. In the longer term, drinking can have a negative effect on young people’s school work, social life and friendships, as well as their general health. There are laws that prevent young people from buying and drinking alcohol due to the associated risks.