An initiative 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 is being launched in the Carrick area.

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

The first part of the initiative is a poster campaign to encourage people to pass on information about individuals or premises that sell or supply alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 to the Police.  By working with the Police and telling them who is responsible for under age young people buying or consuming alcohol local communities can be improved.

The posters, that include the free Crimestoppers telephone number, 0800 555 111 where calls can be anonymous, no personal details need to be provided and the call cannot be traced, are being distributed in Maybole, Girvan and villages in the Carrick area by Community Police Officers.  The officers will be visiting local businesses, not just licensed premises, and asking them to display a poster and at the same time answering any questions about the initiative or note any information the businesses have for them.  Leaflet versions of the posters 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.

The second part of the initiative is an ‘Alcohol Circuit Event’ will be held early next year in Girvan Academy and in Maybole Town Hall that will consist of a variety of stands where information will be offered on alcohol issues, health, proof of age, vandalism, youth activities and the law relating to alcohol.  Each stand will be interactive and deliver one main message, there will be a quiz style question sheet for pupils to encourage them to seek information from each stand.  Completed sheets will be entered into a prize draw and there will be mountain bikes for the lucky winners.  Pupils will complete a questionnaire and these will be analysed to see if their views on alcohol have changed as a result of attending the event.  In addition each pupil will receive an information pack which will contain information about alcohol issues and a variety of activities.

November 2006