Samoan youth swear off the drink

Some young Samoans are vowing not to drink alcohol after seeing the effect it has on their parents, new research has shown.

A recent Auckland University PhD graduate, Ieti Lima, has explored the use of alcohol and the related health issues for Samoan people, both in New Zealand and in Samoa, within the context of fa'a Samoa (Samoan culture).

Mr Lima found some Samoan youth, particularly those born in New Zealand, abstained from alcohol because of their exposure to the social and health consequences of older Samoans' drinking habits.

"They stopped using alcohol because they could see their parents were using it in an irresponsible way," Mr Lima said.

He said they were young people who vividly recalled their parents' change of behaviour after consuming alcohol.

"They were so put off by their parents' or relatives' behaviour that they were resolute in their decision to abstain from alcohol."

Mr Lima said his study found that alcohol consumption had secured a place in the social life of Samoans in the islands, and in migrant communities in Auckland and Christchurch.

Earlier studies have found Pacific people in New Zealand were at increasing risk of alcohol-related harm.

"This is a serious problem for Pacific Islanders, and Samoans in particular, and is likely to have negative impacts on New Zealand society in general if these trends continue."

Mr Lima said his study also revealed that Samoan cultural practices and attitudes to hospitality could frustrate public education initiatives such as host responsibility programmes.

Such initiatives did not necessarily reflect Samoan cultural values of generosity and reciprocity.

"In Samoan culture, when you are the host, you put on the best that you can, which involves plentiful food, and these days, plenty of alcohol too. Any change to these traditional activities can be perceived in some circles as mean-spirited and against the Samoan spirit of generosity."

Mr Lima said some study participants said joining a church had changed their behaviour and the church had effectively become a religious version of Alcoholics Anonymous.