A Questionnaire was developed to engage young people from the ages of 12-18 on their attitudes to alcohol in the Ballymun area. The purpose of this research was to determine if attitudes are different according to age group. Questions ranged from opinions on public drinking, peer pressure and relationships with parents/guardians. The study groups were divided into three categories. It was clear that the 12/13 year age group overall were still at the stage where they agreed that drinking alcohol was against the law for young people, they were at times quiet judgemental and used either stereotypes or education to influence their answers.

While the 14-16 year age group were at the stage where drinking alcohol was seen to them as the norm and their answers very much reflected on their social life and their friends, they were not looking at consequences and saw no harm in the activity. The 17/18 year age group were at a reflective stage and at times their answers were quite similar to the 12/13 year olds, this time using life experience/education, they were starting to look at consequences. This research has shown that there are significant changes in attitudes to alcohol among young people; the 12/13 year olds not having a vested interest, to the 14/16 year olds at the stage of experimenting, to the 17/18 year olds now assessing their use. A number of recommendations are given based on the findings.