First year students from Carrick Academy and Girvan Academy, and P7 pupils from their feeder schools have been having fun and learning about alcohol at Alcohol Circuit Events, one was held in Maybole Town Hall and one in Girvan Academy.

The initiative was designed to address the minority of people under 18 years of age who are purchasing and consuming alcohol, and a small number of adults who are purchasing alcohol on behalf of young people.  It encourages young people to have a responsible attitude towards alcohol.

The Alcohol and Young People Joint Action Group, which was set up through the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership, devised the initiative.  Funding for the project was obtained from ADAT (Alcohol and Drug Action Team).

The Alcohol Circuit Event consisted of a variety of stands where information was offered on alcohol issues, health, proof of age, vandalism, youth activities and the law relating to alcohol.  Each stand was interactive and delivered one main message.

The stands were:

Pupils were split into small groups and sent to different stands, when a whistle was blown the pupils moved to another stand. Participants were encouraged to complete a quiz style question sheet that encouraged them to seek information from each stand.  Completed sheets were entered into a prize draw and there were mountain bikes for the lucky winners.  Each pupil received an information pack that contained information about alcohol issues and a variety of interesting and healthy activities that they could become involved in.

Councillor Ian Fitzsimmons said:  “It is important to educate young people about alcohol and Alcohol Circuit Events get across an important message in a fun way.

“Most young people have a responsible attitude to alcohol but sometimes people consume alcohol and get involved in incidents that they would have walked away from if they had not been drinking.  Each of us has a responsibility to make sure that people who are not legally old enough to consume alcohol do not.  Buying alcohol for anyone under 18 is illegal and it also puts youngsters at risk.  It is everyone’s job to have a responsible attitude to alcohol to help the whole community.”

People should be aware of the following facts:

• It is illegal for anyone under 18 years of age to purchase alcohol.
• It is illegal for anyone over the age of 18 to purchase and supply a person under

18 years of age with alcohol.

• The consumption of alcohol in public places in South Ayrshire is illegal.
• Since banning drinking in public places in South Ayrshire in September 2002 many  people have been charged for this offence by Strathclyde Police, and a large proportion of them have been under 18 years of age.

Sharon Flynn of ADAT said:  “We are delighted with the positive feedback from these events and hope that early education will promote a healthy and responsible attitude to the use of alcohol.”

Posters have already been distributed in Maybole, Girvan and villages in the Carrick area by Community Police Officers which contain the Crimestoppers free telephone number 0800 555 111.  Any call made to Crimestoppers is anonymous, no personal details need to be provided and the call cannot be traced.  The Community Police Officers have been visiting various businesses and asking them to display a poster and at the same time answering any questions about the initiative and noting any information the businesses have for them.  Leaflet versions of the poster are being distributed by local newsagents along with newspapers, to get the information to as many people as possible.  Licensed premises will be also be visited by Council Licensing Officers and Trading Standards Officers.

Adults and students are all engrossed in one of the activities at the Alcohol Circuit Event.

December 2006