Although it is illegal in the Cayman Islands for anyone under the age of 18 to purchase or consume alcohol, the 2024 Cayman Islands Student Drug Use Survey (CISDUS) conducted by the National Drug Council found that the average age of first use of alcohol was 11 years old, the youngest age of first use for all substances. Almost half of the students who reported consuming alcohol in the previous 30 days had also engaged in binge drinking.
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Alcohol is the most commonly used substance among teenagers in the Cayman Islands, according to the 2024 CISDUS findings. However, proper parental intervention can influence children to make smart and informed decisions surrounding alcohol and underage drinking.
Why Teens Drink
Understanding the contributing factors which can lead to underage drinking will help you approach your child from a place of empathy when discussing the risks.
Peer Pressure
Teens' still-developing brains can make it hard to resist the pull of peer pressure and consider the consequences of their choices. Instead, the immediate reward of feeling liked or a part of the group outweighs the risks of giving in to underage drinking.
Mixed Messaging
On an island where brunch is a cultural institution and coolers filled with alcoholic beverages are a boat day fixture, alcohol is regularly shown to be synonymous with fun, which can be a confusing message for children. Moreover, studies suggest the positive portrayal of alcohol in the media (social media, TV, film) can sway children into early use.
Coping Mechanism
According to The National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), highly stressed teens are twice as likely to smoke, drink and use illegal drugs. Mounting academic pressure paired with a seesaw of hormones and emotions may lead teens to believe the easiest way to cope is by numbing their feelings with substances.
Natural Inclination to Push Boundaries
As your teen develops their own values and sense of self, they may be inclined to challenge the boundaries parents set for them. Simply telling your teen not to do something can have the opposite of the desired effect.
The Dangers
Underage drinking can carry serious and lasting implications for the user. Some of these include:
Health Risks
Alcohol is a depressant, and its effects are exaggerated in teenagers. Alcohol can slow down brain activity for up to two weeks after consumption and repeated alcohol abuse from a young age can cause long-term consequences for brain development. Areas permanently impacted include memory function, motor function, learning ability and attention span. Additionally, more life-threatening health concerns, such as heart disease, liver disease, cancer, nerve damage and respiratory infections may emerge over years of heavy drinking.
Impaired Judgement
Drinking impairs your judgement, and while under its influence you may make decisions you otherwise would not have made when sober. Generally, teens who drink are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour, experiment with other illicit substances, get into fights and commit crime.
Against the Law
The bottom line is it is illegal to buy, possess or consume alcohol if you are under the age of 18 in the Cayman Islands, even in the privacy of your own home. If you are caught either driving or sitting in the driver's seat of a car, and you are over the legal limit, you will be fined CI$1,000 or imprisoned for six months and you will lose your driving licence for a year.
Get the Facts
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in the US states that more than 90% of all alcoholic drinks consumed by young people are consumed in a binge drinking session.
- People who begin drinking by age 15 are five times more likely to develop an alcohol dependency than those who begin drinking after age 20.
- Alcohol is the leading cause of accidental death for youths aged 15-24 years.
Tips for Talking to Your Child About Alcohol
The most effective way to inform your child’s values on drinking is to start talking about it—whether you are trying to prevent them from drinking in the first place, or to curb any existing alcohol use.
Start Young
Children begin to formulate their own opinions on drinking from an increasingly young age, meaning parental intervention should start early. By age 10, children will have already been exposed to alluring messaging surrounding alcohol, especially those with easy access to the internet. Answer any questions children have and encourage an ongoing dialogue.
Get the Setting Right
Forgo a formal sit-down talk, as that can come across like a lecture. Instead, aim for frequent and casual conversations that are revisited when relevant. Look out for conversational triggers, such as TV shows that positively depict underage drinking or advertisements for alcohol on the television. Use these as an opportunity to highlight the contradictory messaging around drinking and ask their opinions on the matter.
Take Accountability
Prevention begins at home and parents can set a good example early on. Demonstrate positive ways to handle stress and avoid statements like "I need a drink" after a long day, as this can perpetuate drinking as a coping mechanism. Show your children examples of responsible drinking, such as turning down a drink when you are driving and not drinking to excess. Discuss reasons why people may choose not to drink to normalise abstinence as a socially acceptable option.
Set Expectations
Set and enforce clear rules against drinking and uphold certain consequences if they fail to abide by your rules. Link responsible actions to freedoms, such as a later curfew or use of the family car, so your expectations carry some weight.
Talking about drinking is a tough but necessary topic to tackle with your children. Ultimately you want to remain as approachable as possible. When children feel that you’re being honest with them, they’ll be more likely to respect your rules and feel comfortable coming to you when they have any problems or questions.
Resources for Parents in the Cayman Islands
To learn more about underaged drinking or obtain referrals to programmes in your community, contact one of the following organisations:
More Helpful Resources
Alex's Place Tel: (345) 244 7856
Department of Counselling Services Tel: (345) 949 8789 Email: foi.dcs@gov.ky
Family Resource Centre Tel: (345) 949 0006 Email: frc@gov.ky
