Campaign targets underage drinking

The multi-agency campaign called ’You, Your Child & Alcohol’ includes television advertisements which highlight some of the serious consequences of underage drinking.

The adverts show very normal parent/child conversations discussing what their children have been up to with the subtitles revealing the real truth and the children’s uncertainty apparent to the viewer.

A booklet has also been produced and distributed throughout the Borough to encourage and support parents to talk to their children about alcohol.

“Underage drinking is one the biggest issues of concern within our communities and has a major impact on the physical and social wellbeing of our youth,” said Councillor Michael McGoldrick, Chair of Craigavon Community Safety Partnership and the District Policing Partnership.

“It contributes to major health problems and seriously restricts the life experiences of many of our young people. It is often associated with instances of anti social behaviour, criminal damage and assault, all of which contribute to crime and the fear of crime. One in 10 young people who have drunk alcohol have ended up in trouble with the police.

“In supporting this campaign we want to make parents think about the wide ranging risks and impact that alcohol can have on their children both now and in the future."

Chief Inspector Jason Murphy, Area Commander for Craigavon commented; “This is a vital issue for communities and the Police Service given the high level of alcohol seized from young people. This is a clear indication of the extent of the problem. We are committed to working in partnership with all agencies, young people and their parents in particular in order to raise awareness of the risks and potential consequences when young people engage in underage drinking.”

Booklets are available from GP surgeries, pharmacies, Post Offices and Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores across the Borough.

The campaign is part of a wider package of measures already put in place by the Police Service and partner agencies to tackle underage drinking and antisocial behaviour. It has been developed and supported regionally by the PSNI, Northern Ireland Policing Board, Northern Ireland Office, Public Health Agency and Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Leo Foy, Drug and Alcohol Coordinator with the Public Health Agency and Southern Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team, said: “The ‘You, Your Child and Alcohol’ campaign highlights the need for parents and carers to be aware of the effect of alcohol on young people, to be able to talk to them from an informed viewpoint and to lead by example by adhering themselves to sensible daily and weekly alcohol consumption guidelines.”

At the local level the campaign is being promoted by Craigavon District Policing Partnership (DPP), Craigavon Community Safety Partnership (CCSP), Southern Health & Social Care Trust, Craigavon Borough Council and the local Police.

For further information on the campaign, or to obtain a copy of the booklet, please contact Lynette Burke from Craigavon Community Safety Partnership on 3831 2529.