News item from Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership
Parents are playing a significant role in contributing to underage drinking and problems associated with it, according to Chesterfield Community Safety Partnership’s Violence, Alcohol harm and Licensing (VAL) group.
At its most recent meeting a number of cases of underage drinking were discussed where the young people involved had either been bought alcohol to drink by their parents before going out or where adults had turned a blind eye to them drinking alcohol at home with friends.
And the potential dangers of such action have been highlighted by incidents in recent weeks including one where a 14-year-old was found lying on the pavement suffering from hypothermia and another in which the teenager concerned was so drunk she did not know where she was or what had happened.
Joe Tomlinson, Community Safety Officer with the Partnership, says: “Everyone – parents, older relatives, members of the public and shopkeepers – has a responsibility in helping to reduce underage drinking and the problems to which it can lead.
“Organisations that are members of our VAL – including the police and council – continually take calls about young people drinking or causing problems as a result of drinking. In spite of this many adults in the areas from which the calls come are contributing to the problems by buying alcohol or allowing the young people in their care to drink it.”
The VAL group is now planning to increase activities that it feels will help tackle the issue including using a range of mediums to remind parents of the effect allowing under-18s to drink alcohol can have.
In addition to the awareness-raising, Trading Standards Officers will continue to visit off-licence premises and police will be keeping an eye out for adults buying alcohol for under-age drinkers. This, known as proxy purchasing, is an offence and carries an on the spot fine of £80 or, if it goes to court, a fine of up to £1,000.
Trevor Durham, Licensing Manager for Chesterfield Borough Council and Chair of the VAL says: “Young people are being blamed for the issues, and while it is them drinking they are, in effect, being aided and abetted by adults. We hope that by reminding adults of their responsibilities we will impact on this issue.
“Our advice is quite simple, if a person is under the age of 18 they should not drink any alcohol.
Parents seeking advice on ways to talk about alcohol with young people can telephone the Partnership on 01246 345345 to request a copy of the “Your Kids and Alcohol” leaflet.
Chesterfield Borough Council
Town Hall
Rose Hill
Chesterfield;
Derbyshire
S40 1LP