The book deals with alcoholic beverages consumption and abuse in Italy covering two decades (1991-2011), with a specific in depth analysis of young people and the risky behaviours associated with irresponsible use of alcoholic beverages. A longitudinal analysisof drinking behaviours of Italians. shows the evolutions and changes emerged in the country in the past twenty years (CarlaCollicelli). Recent data from the national survey Osservatorio/DOXA 2010 proposes a quantitative updated analysis of the theme. Socio-economic aspects and contexts are provided in the paper of Daniele Rossi, while the socio-educational and health related issues are addressed in the contributes of Maurizio Fea and Maria Antonia Modolo, focusing, respectively, on the aspects of prevention and law enforcement strategies specifically targeted to contrast juvenile alcohol abuse. The text summarizes 20 years of research in the field by the Osservatorio. Its vision and mission are recapitulated in the writings of Enrico Tempesta, Michele Contel and Amedeo Cottino.
The book end with two lectiones magistrales by Giuseppe De Rita and Umberto Galimberti, dedicated, respectively, to reassess the validity of the self-regulating behavior of drinkers in a mediterranean culture and to the growing nihilism of the juvenile condition increasingly witnessed in our societies.