SO NOW the government is worried about underage drinking?
Last week, a report was published on how the coalition government is planning on reducing underage drinking and related problems by increasing the price of alcohol to pub charges and blocking promtional packages on cases of beer and bottles of wine.
Responsible for around 33,000 deaths a year in the UK, the substance is avalible at any age in over 15 countries world wide but causes economic problems world wide.
Looking at laws surrounding alcohol, there is a very obvious factor which has caused teenagers to enjoy a drink when out with friends, linked to their younger life.
Kids as young as five are allowed alcohol substances in thier homes and supervised by parents.
Why parents would feel the need for a 5 year-old to have alcohol, i’ll never know.
Britian has been branded one of the worst places in the world for alchol abuse, in some places charging less that 30 pence for a pint of lager.
So, charging 50 pence a unit is meant to solve the underage drinking problem? I’m sorry to say that I very much doubt it.
The more a teenager is told not to do something, the likely-hood is, they will only do it more.
Sadly, alcohol is factor in half the crimes committed by under 18’s such as drink driving and vandalism, which is only set to increase if new forces are enforced.
The legal age to buy and consume alcoholic beverages is 18, however, a glass of wine or pint of beer is allowed for 16 year olds when they have a meal out with an adult.
Locally, we have tackled this problem significantly with regular patrols around certain teenage hotspots, such as Lynnsport and The Walks,
Due to the patrols, anti-social behaviour has decreased significantly over the past two years, but what will happen now police forces are being limited?
There are signs in restricted areas, warning of heafty fines, but do they really have much meaning if there isn’t a police officer around to enforce the rules.
All of the benefit cuts and new laws are supposed to create a “safe haven” and save the youth of today.
I’m sure I’m not the only one that is sat thinking how much this new plan is going to fail, soon alcohol will be prohibited in an effort to make England a “safe haven”.
Up to £30,000 debt after university and jobs becoming gold dust, I think it’s safe to say that this snowball is soon going to melt.