Don't buy alcohol if it is for someone who is under-age 14 May 2010
13 May 2010
A thirteen-year old alcoholic is one of the most shocking and stark statistics of under-age drinking in the Harrogate district.
And one of the ways they get alcohol is because adults buy it for them.
Harrogate and Richmondshire District Community Safety Partnerships are working together to run a campaign to raise awareness of the damage alcohol can do to young people and to urge adults not to purchase drink on their behalf.
Councillor Les Ellington, Chair of the Harrogate and District Safer Communities Partnership says that alcohol is a major contributory factor to anti-social behaviour in the Harrogate district.
"Under-age drinking is an issue but how they obtain alcohol is an even bigger problem.
We work extremely closely with the licensing trade but how can they be expected to know that when serving alcohol to adults that it will be passed on to under-age drinkers.
This has to stop."
Young people need to be over 18 to obtain alcohol and the Proxy Buying Awareness Campaign is encouraging adults to think twice about their actions.
North Yorkshire Police are supporting the campaign with Police Community Support Officers working to distribute information leaflets to off-licences and other outlets.
Inspector Will Scarlett added:
"There are serious consequences for those who sell or purchase alcohol for those not old enough to drink it.
There are heavy fines and possible criminal convictions.
If you are approached to buy alcohol, please think about the consequences and the danger you might be putting these young people into.
We all have a responsibility to safeguard our young people and our community from the dangers of alcohol."
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 10.00 am Monday, 17 May 2010, Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, Harrogate -
10 green bottles hanging on the wall and two of them warn against proxy buying of alcohol
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Les Ellington is available for comment on 01423 712461and Inspector Will Scarlett is available on 01423 539444.