The pattern and factors of alcohol consumption among the Malaysian Dusun youths

This paper presents the findings of a study on youths and their drinking pattern in a Malaysian community. Field surveys were conducted in Kampung Noopung and Kampung Lansat in the district of Ranau, Sabah where 50 Dusun youths aged between 15-25 and direct consumers of the alcohols were selected through a snowball technique as respondents. Four other key informants were selected among the villagers to provide an account on the drinking pattern of the youths, in addition to a non-participant observation as to the general scenario of the drinking activities in the community. The study found that the youths had started drinking as early as below 15 years old, consumed more of the traditional alcohol drinks, and ventured into beer drinking, which was categorised as a locally produced cosmopolitan drink. The liquors were easily available and could be bought at a house whose owner had been producing them in small quantities, at the village sundry shop and at restaurants or eating stalls. The liquors were consumed more during festive seasons, weekends and when with peer groups. Two general factors, namely, the youths’ attitude (ritual, convivial and utilitarian) and social environment (incitement, availability and example) were identified as contributing to the youths’ consumption of alcohol. The incitement factors included the absence of any societal sanction against the consumption of alcohols by young people, peer group pressure, advertisements, the youths’ purchasing power, and the fulfilment of the male ‘macho’ identity.