We conducted research on a sample of 7.500 students from all Montenegrin primary and secondary schools regarding alcohol consumption, and the results are not exactly the best.
This was said during the presentation of the results of the research "Health culture and alcohol use among young people in Montenegro", said Zoran Lalović, advisor at the Institute of Education.
He said that the number of students who drink alcoholic beverages is "increasing, and most of them are in the final grades of secondary schools".
"The majority of students believe that the use of alcohol is a problem for young people, but they also have a neutral attitude towards those students who drink alcoholic beverages. Some consider them unpopular if they do not drink alcohol. This research also indicates the existence of a connection between alcohol consumption and mental, social and physical health of students," said Lalović.
He also pointed out that students who drink alcoholic beverages are not "so interested in school, nor topics related to the prevention of addiction".
The executive director of the MNE Forum, Jelena Fuštić, said that the organization is aimed at achieving the well-being of young people.
"The pandemic reminded us that health must be the focus. I would emphasize that we must not tie health literacy to medical knowledge. Although the education system is the address for answers to a large number of problems, it is still a sector in which very little is invested. Young people are a good support system is needed, especially when it comes to alcoholic beverages. Our duty is to make young people health literate," said Fuštić.
The program manager of that organization, Anđelija Lučić, said that the research has a lot of data that can be used to create joint actions and initiatives.
"In Montenegro, young people grow up in an environment where alcohol consumption is accepted. It is easily accessible to them, and young people start drinking in the upper grades of elementary school. Out of 100 stores, 98 sold alcohol to minors without any problems. This is very devastating." Lucic said.
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