Under age drinking

[the ice maiden]

I was involved for a while going to the PubWatch meetings. From the very start it was highlighted to those involved that we wanted those who purchased drink for under 18's to be included in the ban. The idea was to try and break the cycle. At that point, as far as I am aware, the police knew who some of the 'regulars' were who bought the drink, but could not prove it. PubWatch includes the supermarkets, off licenses and also the Chinese restaurant.
The youth cafe is still in the process of getting up and running-the red tape is unbelievable. as far as I am aware, they are planning to open it during the day to encourage other people to use it, so that the nights and weekends will be for the young.
I hope when it opens, everyone will support it as it is very much needed

[Mod4]

I was involved for a while going to the PubWatch meetings. From the very start it was highlighted to those involved that we wanted those who purchased drink for under 18's to be included in the ban. The idea was to try and break the cycle. At that point, as far as I am aware, the police knew who some of the 'regulars' were who bought the drink, but could not prove it. PubWatch includes the supermarkets, off licenses and also the Chinese restaurant.
The youth cafe is still in the process of getting up and running-the red tape is unbelievable. as far as I am aware, they are planning to open it during the day to encourage other people to use it, so that the nights and weekends will be for the young.
I hope when it opens, everyone will support it as it is very much needed

I have copied the part about the Youth Club to the Youth Club thread just to keep it up to date - viewtopic.php?f=12&t=7441&start=15

[Campbeltown Lass]

This is an interesting one. In my opinion underage drinking is almost like a right of passage for teenagers, not just in Campbeltown but anywhere. Someone pointed out earlier in this thread that underagers are getting younger but I'm afraid to say that I started on a half bottle of vodka every Fri and Sat night when I was 13, which (terrifyingly) is almost 10 years ago now. Habits like that dont write off a teenagers future completely, I still managed to get fairly good exam results, get a degree and land myself a good job. So just because your son or daughter bounces off the walls when they come home at the weekend does not mean they are a lost cause.
The key is not to aim to stop it completely because, lets be realistic, that's not going to happen, but to somehow educate teenagers so that they don't endanger themselves or others and get themselves into potentially dangerous situations as a result of drinking far more than they can handle.
On the subject of the youth cafe, I think it's a brilliant idea if done properly. As i said before, we need to be realistic. You cant expect to stop kids drinking just because they will have somewhere to meet and play pool/xbox etc. In fact, thinking back to my teenage self, if we had had the possibility of a youth cafe, to be honest, the lightbulb would be pinging above my head - somewhere warm, dry, with areas to chill out - perfect drinking conditions! There are ways round the adult supervision! This will have to be closely "policed" but without adults being "in charge" or the kids will just rebel against it. There needs to be mutual respect, honesty and communication between the people who do take on this task and the young people who use the service.
I think an "information zone" within the premises would also be a good idea - health info, careers info and everything else in between! Guest speakers and info evenings on these subjects would also work well.
I've already offered to help with the possibility of health promotion etc once it gets going and I hope others will contribute in any way they can, the more imaginative the better.
I wish KADAS every success.

[smiles]

Someone pointed out earlier in this thread that underagers are getting younger but I'm afraid to say that I started on a half bottle of vodka every Fri and Sat night when I was 13, which (terrifyingly) is almost 10 years ago now. Habits like that dont write off a teenagers future completely, I still managed to get fairly good exam results, get a degree and land myself a good job. So just because your son or daughter bounces off the walls when they come home at the weekend does not mean they are a lost cause.

I think you will find people of 13 through any generation were drinking but it does seem easier to come by and there appears to be a relaxd attitude towards. There seems to also be a suggestion well it happened it my day so it is alright. Quite frankly if any of my children at 13 were "bouncing off the walls when they come home" they would be bouncing off the wall the next day.

You do have good points about education however and this is something that should be addressed. What about the Police going to the grammar, what about the police walking the streets more? Parents getting involved. I lost a good friend through choking on his own sick. Perhaps these images should be highlighted to adults as well as children, then we may see a change in attitude.....

[NelsonL1995]

Good post, Smiles. I agree with everything you said there.

[rtodd31]

well i for one won't be allowing any of my kids to drink even if i'm they're and i never touched alcohol til i was 18 cos i didn't see the point getting caught and being grounded for it i'll try my best to guide them but i'm afraid i can't have eyes on the back of my head anyway my friends smoked and drunk but i never, just hope my kids don't do it and even now i still have peole asking if i still smoke its like what i never even tried it people assume you did just cos your friends did, drove me insane, but i had respect for my parents i still do god i'd still get a clip round the ear if i was being cheeky so i hope with the upbringing i had it helps me in the way my kids turn out

[Ship called Dignity]

Just a couple of things that came up recently have made me wonder why so many parents think it is acceptable for their 14 and 15 year old children to be drinking alcohol? They are openly letting them do it and in fact buying it for them?

As someone says, there is no book on being parents so some of us looking to learn for the future!