KBL's belated call to stop underage drinking

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 14, 2010 00:00

KBL and BBL Corporate Affairs Director, Thapelo Letsholo appealed to parents to support all efforts to discourage the abuse of alcoholic beverages.

'We need to make sure our children understand the consequences of underage drinking. We must let our children know that these rules and consequences are there because we care,' said Letsholo in a statement.

He adds: 'Rules on underage drinking are not limited to those we set in our families. In Botswana 18 is the minimum age for purchasing and/or consuming alcohol. Violating the law can result in substantial fines, losing driving privileges and maybe even jail time.'

He said research indicates that in general, parents have the greatest influence on underage people's decisions about drinking, he says in the statement.

Letsholo warns that people who drink when they are underage do so at a time when they are still maturing physically and psychologically. 'They do so at a time in their lives when they may feel invincible or rebellious or when they are attempting to make a statement about their own independence. When alcohol is added to the mix, inhibitions may be lowered, judgement may be impaired, risk-taking may follow, and serious, potentially life-threatening problems can arise'.

Letsholo further warns that underage drinking can also cause very serious family, school, social, reputational, self-esteem and other problems. He adds that some studies show that underage drinking may impair brain development. Parents can also help influence their children's decision not to drink by having a close, supportive relationship with them, knowing who their friends are and what they are doing and enrolling them in structured after-school activities.