Young People news and updates: Local approaches to reducing under-age drinking and disorder

Trade body releases tackling under-age drinking toolkit

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WTSA) have released a toolkit Community Alcohol Partnership: Cracking down on Public Under Age Drinking. The Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) was reportedly successful in reducing alcohol related disorder in Cambridgeshire earlier this year, and has now been launched in Kent.

The toolkit is reported to 'include model letters, leaflets and case studies that can be adapted for use by local CAPs to help them introduce partnership working in a cost effective way and ensure support across the community'. The framework of the CAP appears to be based on a partnership model, an approach largely accepted as the best way to reduce local alcohol related harm and disorder, reflected nationally by Safe, Sensible, Social national alcohol strategy update.

Police 'parent calling' initiative claims to reduce under-age drinking

A police initiative in Scotland that caught drunk under-16s and informed their parents claims to reduce drinking by the youngsters, a BBC news article reports. 'Operation floorsweep' was supported by researchers who questioned 100 youngsters aged 12-16 after their contact with Lothian and Borders Police officers. More than six in 10 (62%) of those surveyed said they had drunk alcohol since police caught them, but almost four in 10 (38%) said they had not. In total, 74% said they were drinking less and had changed what they drank.

Young people offered alcohol education course to reduce fines

Binge drinkers in Hertfordshire are being offered the chance to reduce their fines in exchange for a stint on an alcohol re-education course, a BBC news article reports. Young people issued £80 Fixed Penalty Notices are allowed to pay half if they attend the course provided by a local drug and alcohol agency. Police say it has helped contribute to a dramatic fall in alcohol-related disorder.