By community correspondent, Isabelle Kabban

Christmas passed in a flash and it wasn’t long before I was deciding what to do for New Years. One thing, however, which I knew was definitely not on my list, was to drink. I find it ridiculous that in order to have a good time teenagers, particularly girls, feel the need to drink alcohol, when most of the time they end up having far too much and having to suffer the consequences. Not only is it bad for my health, but dizziness, the possibility of needing my stomach pumped and a bad hangover is definitely not something I would consider fun. So why do they? 47% of teenagers drink because they say they have nothing better to do and research shows that teenagers who are introduced to alcohol under the age of 15 at home, are more likely to not drink responsibly.

I’m sure many would expect girls in my age group to go out shopping, have sleepovers and go to the cinema. Sadly, for some girls a good weekend out consists of going out late, drinking far too much alcohol and then ending up doing things they regret. I feel it is upsetting that teenagers are doing this. Because this is some people’s idea of a good time, they are keen to make others drunk too and very often, the case is that a girl’s ‘best friends’ add a large amount of spirit to a drink and stupidly the poor girl drinks it without thinking. In my opinion that is a disgrace. Yes if someone wants to idiotically get drunk that is their choice, but is it really necessary to inflict this upon someone else?

Unfortunately, alcoholic drinks, which do not taste of alcohol, are becoming more and more common. We presume that because we can’t taste it, we can have more of it. More and more will be consumed until noone knows or remembers how much they have had. Why would you want a night out which you wont even be able to remember the next day?

I asked Emilia, 14 from New Malden what her opinion is on this subject and she said: “I completely agree that it is wrong that teenagers are making these stupid decisions. It puts a stereotype on teenagers and people presume that we all are like this, when really I find it sad and pathetic. I do not see why people make such choices and then don’t even remember it.”

All I can do is hope that it is only a phase, which will not continue to pass on to new generations. Teenagers are having to be rushed to hospital because of alcohol poisoning and frankly, I find it sad that they have nothing better to do.