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Call for alcohol to be part of the curriculum

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:42

Whyte & Mackay master blender Richard Paterson, a newly released premium Scotch in South Africa, is calling for children as young as five or six years to be taught the ABC of alcohol by South African teachers and parents to avoid the dangers of alcohol misuse and binge drinking.

Talking recently about his book Goodness Nose, Whyte & Mackay’s master blender for over thirty years, Richard believes teenagers may be too late in their development for guidance to have any effect on how they develop their drinking habits.

He would like to see the South African Government, educationalists and others produce guidelines on alcohol for teachers and parents with primary school age children.

He said: “By the time children reach secondary school, their behaviours are already well established and views on alcohol embedded. The earlier we can educate children on the benefits of alcohol awareness, and explode the myths surrounding alcohol, the sooner we can work towards a greater understanding of the dangers of irresponsible drinking.”

Richard developed a keen interest for whisky himself at the age of eight by accompanying his father to the family owned Glasgow Bond where he had his first experience of “nosing” whisky. He believes that only by introducing young children at primary school age to alcohol can their behaviours be influenced enough to change.

According to a guide produced by Health Scotland, children have already been exposed to alcohol and tasted their first drop at home by the age of seven. However the majority of parents don’t start talking with their children about alcohol until they reach early teens.

With over 37 years of experience in the drinks industry, Richard became Scotland’s youngest Master Blender at the age of 26 and his nosing techniques, thirst for knowledge and inimitable style have cemented him as one of the whisky industry’s most prolific characters.

Alcohol Focus Scotland says the number of 13 year olds who drink alcohol has doubled since 1990 meanwhile almost half of 15 year olds and a third of 13 year olds reported drinking alcohol in the past week.

Richard said: “With these statistics providing sobering reading, it is really important that parents and teachers become involved in influencing children’s behaviours when it comes to drink".

"Our children will be exposed to alcohol through their associations at school, college or even after school clubs so by educating them at home, we can ensure they have the facts and can make informed decisions about drinking.”

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “Children are more exposed to alcohol promotion than ever before which makes the need for balanced alcohol information all the more important.

“We agree with the need to introduce a more consistent approach to alcohol education at an early stage in primary schools. Parents also have an important role to play in talking about alcohol issues with their children and explaining both the negative and positive effects of drinking. This will help them to make safe and responsible choices as they grow up.”