'Pre-loaders' are being targeted in a bid to reduce alcohol-related violent crime in Watford, the local Observer reports. Police officers arrive early in the town centre to turn away any visitors judged to have “pre-loaded” before visiting Watford's bars and nightclubs. Police are using powers to seize alcohol and hand out section 27 notices to temporarily ban someone from the area. Westminster council is responding to pre-loading concerns through its licensing policy.
Social media is 'normalising' drunken behaviour, a report in Irish Health says. Fionnuala Sheehan of the Irish drinkaware.ie website said the growing popularity of social networking, video sharing and publishing photos online ‘means young people consider it normal to document their nights out and use social media to let their friends know what they're up to'. Last year the BMA published a report on the effect of alcohol advertising on young people. See recent children and alcohol reports from Alcohol Concern.
Why do record numbers of young people have sexually transmitted infections is explored in this Guardian Focus podcast. Rosie Swash investigates the reasons for the UK's high level of sexually transmitted diseases among 15 to 24-year-olds, which includes perspectives on the role of alcohol.
Police in Northumbria are encouraging people to report anyone buying alcohol for children after two 12-year-olds were bought alcohol. The police ask that 'anyone with information about underage drinking and any concerns that shops are supplying children with alcohol should contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Team on 03456 043 043 ext 69191'. See here.
In other news, a recent feature in Drink and Drugs News (DDN) titled 'The Alcohol debate' (pdf here) provoked a number of responses in the latest issue (see page 8). The Morning Advertiser has published a speech on alcohol policy by industry head Ralph Findley, given at The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) annual dinner. Two new articles are also up on the politics of drinking blog. For regular drugs and alcohol news and press coverage you can follow DS Daily.
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