Children drinking to excess on regular basis, warns PSNI

Posting on Facebook, police warned that they are putting themselves at risk and urged adults not to buy alcohol for them.

The PSNI said:”“Having alcohol before you turn 18 is a regular occurrence in Northern Ireland. The problem in ABC District is people under 18 are drinking to excess on a regular basis and therefore putting themselves at risk.

“They may not even be aware of the risks they may be subjected to.

“Your brain is still developing in your teenage years and drinking to excess can lead to problems with motivation, reasoning and interpersonal relationships.

“Another more serious problem is the lowering of inhibitions which can lead to drug taking and unprotected sex. For some teenagers this can be a downward spiral in which they may not recover from.

“Underage pregnancies, drug debts, being made to commit crime in order to pay for debts and forced into sexual acts in order to pay debts or fund the drug habit are examples of issues facing young people in our area.

“These young people are approaching adults on the street and asking them to buy alcohol for them. It is a sad fact that many people are happy to do this. However, it is illegal to by alcohol for someone under 18.

“Would you like you son or daughter to be so drunk on a regular basis that they can barely stand or even speak their name? Would you want them to have a drug habit in which they will do anything, and I mean anything, to fund?

“Some people may not like the term but they are CHILDREN so don’t buy alcohol for them!”

https://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/crime/gang-fires-eggs-cars-pedestrians-and-homes-elderly-ni-town-2987927

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you