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A recent poll conducted by YouGov for the Av-og-til organization reveals alarming figures on the alcoholic habits of young people.
1 in 10 between 15 and 17 years old responds that they do not know where the alcohol they drink comes from and say that they obtain alcohol from strangers.
On Thursday, police issued a warning that there may be alcohol poisoned with methanol in circulation.
– It’s scary. When teens call the liquor taxi, they have no idea what they are actually getting in the bottle. It could also be methanol, says Randi Hagen Eriksrud, Av-og-til’s general secretary.
Police: – We are concerned about a wave of methanol poisoning
Two poisoned people
Last Friday, two people in Oslo were poisoned with methanol after drinking alcohol. A man was found dead Sunday with traces of methanol on his body, but police are not sure what the cause of death is.
Police have not discovered where the alcohol came from and are concerned that more dangerous alcohol may be in circulation.
– Alcohol poisoned with methanol can be life threatening. We don’t know if there is more methanol in circulation now, but we fear the consequences if that is the case, Anne Alræk Solem in the Oslo police district told TV 2 on Thursday.
ASK FOR ADVICE: Police are asking the public for help in finding out where methanol-poisoned alcohol comes from. Photo: Anna Myklebust Hodne / TV 2
Av-og-til’s general secretary worries that young people may end up with alcohol poisoned by methanol.
– When we know that young people drink alcohol without knowing where it comes from, it is a scary thought. It can be life threatening, says Eriksrud.
Surprised
Every now and then there is an organization that works for a good niche. Their new survey also shows that 2 in 10 young people have a friend who knows someone who sells and that 4 out of 10 drink alcohol at parties.
Eriksen believes the numbers are surprising and worrying.
– I would like to ask young people if they understand how dangerous it is to accept alcohol from strangers, says the general secretary.
She thinks it is good that the police are now trying to give a warning.
Warns if illegal and potentially deadly methanol in circulation is possible
Parents
The secretary general believes that it is important for parents to speak with their children now and explain the seriousness of the matter.
– It is very important that parents take this talk now and explain how dangerous it is to drink alcohol from unknown sources, says Eriksurd.
Many parents find it difficult to talk to their children about alcohol and parties, but Eriksrud says it is absolutely necessary.
– When it comes to alcohol and youth, a smart parent is a good parent. Research shows that young people really listen to their parents when it comes to alcohol, says Eriksrud.
