Andorra Trains Parents on Alcohol Prevention for Teens in Festive Settings

The Andorran Ministry of Health conducted training sessions this week under the National Plan against Drug Addiction (PNCD), focusing on alcohol prevention for families and festive settings. Around 100 parents attended two workshops at Centre Cultural la Llacuna on "Survival Manual: Adolescence and Nighttime Leisure," gaining practical tools for discussing alcohol use and nightlife risks with teenagers. A separate session for nightlife venue staff was canceled due to insufficient sign-ups.

The first family workshop on Wednesday afternoon attracted about 60 participants, mainly mothers, while Thursday morning's follow-up drew another 40. State Secretary for Health Cristina Pérez highlighted the role of family communication in building protective bonds, noting that parents often feel overwhelmed by uncertainty in risky scenarios. "When you have teenagers at home, the first thing that overwhelms you is fear of what might happen," she said, adding that the sessions offer detection and response strategies rather than instant solutions.

A morning workshop on Wednesday for festival commissions and bar operators during patron saint events saw roughly a dozen attendees. Facilitated by Anton Uró, founder of the Catalan consultancy Mediare, it addressed alcohol effects, promotion of moderation, and handling emergencies such as intoxications, violence, or drink-driving. In contrast, the 3 p.m. session targeting bar and nightlife staff had only one non-sector registrant and was scrapped entirely—no industry representatives showed up.

Uró shared Mediare data showing stable youth alcohol initiation ages, from 13.7 years in 1996 to 13.9 in recent years, indicating slightly later starts but stressing the need for ongoing attention. "The consumption is there and must be addressed," he warned, urging families to stay calm to foster open dialogue—for instance, not overreacting if a teen returns home smelling of alcohol.

This marks the PNCD's first parent-specific initiative, shifting from prior school-based efforts, following needs identified by a cross-ministry working group formed after the plan's renewal by decree last July. High family turnout has prompted the ministry to explore repeats, alongside commune commitments to safer festive environments through risk reduction. The PNCD has been in effect since 2004.