Underage drinking scheme launched

It will be piloted in the Rosemount and Glen areas of the city and if successful will be extended throughout the local council area.

It is the latest initiative following on from the local authority’s enforcement of a new bye-law clamping down on street drinking.

The scheme will involve high visibility patrols of underage boozing hotspots, engagement with young people and spotchecks at Off Licences and pubs to reinforce the message to adults: Don’t buy drink for children.

Speaking at the launch, CAF Chairman, Mayor Colum Eastwood said the initiative is based on a best practice model which has been successful at reducing underage drinking in specific areas without moving the problem to other areas.

Karen Phillips, Senior Environmental Health Officer with Derry City Council and programme manager for the CAF explained more about the pilot scheme.

“The Glen and Rosemount area was chosen by the Foyle Drug and Alcohol Forum, a collection of local community groups, as an area that has suffered nuisance associated with underage drinking, and as such may benefit from such a scheme. “It is hoped that if successful, the initiative will be extended to other areas of the Derry City Council area.

“The initiative will include activities such as high visibility patrols, engagement with young people who may drink in the Rosemount and Glen areas, both in the evenings and also during specific multi-agency work with schools, as well as visits to Off Licences and pubs to discuss problems associated with adults buying alcohol for those who are underage, which research has shown to be the main way that under 18’s access alcohol.”

Joanne Smith, Manager of the Drink Think project added: “One of the aims of the initiative is to improve the working relationship between all the different stakeholders and encourage more effective partnership working, as well as helping alcohol retailer’s front line staff to be part of the solutions to the problems of underage drinking and getting them actively involved in the project.”

She added: “The project will focus on raising the profile of the legal implications of underage drinkers who attempt to buy alcohol illegally.

“This could include a number of trial actions such young people under 18 who are found with alcohol being taken home and their parents informed.”