Popular drug use in New ZealandIn New Zealand, drug use by young people is a major health problem. A drug is defined as any substance that affects your body and changes the way you feel. Alcohol is a drug commonly used by many people in New Zealand. This report focuses on the consumption and effects of alcohol on people, and covers people aged 18 to 24 in detail. In the 2004 New Zealand Health Behaviors Survey – Alcohol Use, 6.8 percent of young people aged 12 to 17 and 29.6 percent aged 18 to 24 reported drinking at least six standard glasses (men) or four standard glasses (women) one or more times per week. Young people aged 18 to 24 were more than twice as likely as those in any other age group to engage in binge drinking each week. Alcohol consumption is a major problem in New Zealand as it leads to many major health and social consequences associated with alcohol abuse. Alcohol problems and alcohol dependence affect people's lives on a personal, interpersonal and also societal level. Alcohol is especially bad for young people, because they often don't know their limits and their bodies are still developing. Many major health determinants influence alcohol consumption among people aged 18 to 24. First factor: Social exclusionA factor that influences alcohol consumption is the need for social acceptance. Many people drink alcohol to fit in because it helps them gain confidence in social situations. People aged 18 to 24 may feel pressured to go to parties and drink a lot of alcohol because it is the social norm. "Young people drink excessively for fun, to relieve depression, to fit in, to look cool, because of ...... middle of paper ...... ink and are away from the supervision of their parents. This means that 18-year-olds are likely to drink more because they are now able to do what they want and no longer have to worry about getting in trouble with their parents. This factor affects people personally because……. This factor affects people on an interpersonal level because….. This factor affects people in society because……..Factor Four: MediaMovies, television, music videos and advertising are all factors that can influence the alcohol consumption. Movies and TV shows show people drinking, going to parties, and having a good time, which can have a big influence on the people watching them, making them want to do the same. People watch movies and want to be like the people in them, which can lead them to want to emulate movie stars and view excessive drinking as socially acceptable. Factor five: