A PROJECT that has helped slash teenage drinking in Warrington over the last three years needs further funding of £36,000 if it is to continue beyond next year.
In 2005, a survey showed more than half of 15-16 year-olds drank alcohol at least once a week.
Now the figure has dropped to 45 per cent – although 30 per cent of youngsters in the 15-16 age group admit to binge drinking (five or more drinks in a session) once a week
New evidence shows that 22 per cent of the age group claim to have bought the alcohol themselves from pubs and clubs, off-licenses and supermarkets. This is a reduction from 2005, when the figure was 33 per cent.
A report to the borough council’s community services scrutiny committee has been prepared by chief trading standards officer Peter Astley.
He asks members to note the work carried out by the alcohol under age sales co-ordinator working with Trading Standards and draws attention to a funding bid to extend the post beyond March 2009 so the work can be continued.
Mr Astley says: “Preventing under age drinking is a public health priority. Teenage levels of consumption in the UK are among the highest in Europe: nearly half (46 per cent) of 15 and 16 year olds in the UK have been drunk at least once in the last month compared to a European average of 32 per cent.”
Reduction in figures for Warrington have been brought about by measures including test purchases at licensed premises on under age sales and fixed penalties for those not complying. In 2003-4 the failure rate was 56 per cent and this has reduced to 20 per cent for the first half of this year.
Mr Astley said since 2006/7 the programme has partly focused on premises that complaints have been made against and those who have not taken part in the training programmes.
He said the co-ordinator worked with off sales premises to support and educate them in preventing under-age sales – with a variety of campaigns, training, and work with colleges, police, health services and community groups.
In 2009/10 plans are to expand the service to include targeted training for small and medium businesses, more work in schools and colleges about the consequences of under-age sales and work to engage local communities to tackle the issue.
A PROJECT that has helped slash teenage drinking in Warrington over the
last three years needs further funding of £36,000 if it is to continue
beyond next year.
Anti-alcohol project needs more money
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
