Are Icelandic teenagers the least addicted to alcohol in the world?

New York, June 27, 2020, Saturday

As alcohol and cigarette addiction is on the rise among teenagers and young people around the world, Iceland's 16- to 18-year-olds are the least addicted. According to UNICEF, the number of young people addicted to alcohol in Iceland last month was 6%, the lowest in the world, while in European countries, 5% of school-going teenagers have tasted alcohol. At one time the youth of Iceland were also the most addicted to alcohol-cigarettes but today they have become an inspiration for the countries of Europe.

It is interesting to know how the youth of Iceland became drug free. There is no ban on alcohol in this country, but the result has been 50 years of hard work. For this, the Center for Research and Social Analysis went to schools and conducted a study for 3 years. The study covered not only alcohol and tobacco addiction but also the social and family status behind it. Youth in Iceland found that children were not the only ones responsible for intoxication. Children who lived more with their parents and focused more on sports were less addicted. The budget was then increased for activities such as sports, music, theater and dance in Icelandic schools. The local system also emphasized on creating a positive environment for parents so that their children do not become addicted.

Since 2009, the government has banned children under the age of 18 from going out on the road without parents after 8 pm, while children between the ages of 18 and 19 have been banned from walking alone after 10 pm. However children are allowed to go in case of emergency. John Sigfusion's de-addiction program in 2006 was a great success in Iceland. Other European countries also want to move towards this Icelandic model to get rid of alcoholism in the study youth. The City of Targona in Spain is also adopting the Icelandic model.