How do we stop teenage binges?

Jun 5 2008 by Tom Patterson, The Journal

BINGE drinking among teenagers is to be the subject of Government “Youth Alcohol Action Plan” – looking at establishing new guidelines on alcohol consumption.

This could include raising the current age limit for drinking alcohol, new rules on advertising and availability, public drinking bans, pricing, and parental responsibility.

We asked The Journal Jury: “What can be done to cut binge drinking among teenagers?”

They came up with a range of measures. Price was judged to be a major factor.

Lorraine Coulson, of Low Fell, Gateshead, said: “Don’t allow the sale of ultra cheap booze and alcopops, especially in corner shops where profit is more important than morals.”

John North, of Newcastle, agreed, saying: “Strict enforcement action against those who sell alcohol to under age drinkers would help.

“Price is the main factor. Booze is cheaper relative to income than it has ever been and because of that, excessive drinking is now rife across all ages and classes.” But he also sees a wider issue. He said: “We can't just blame the young. We have to reduce the part drink plays in our society. Making it more expensive would be the most effective way to make progress.”

Others believe the price factor is allied to the ease with which alcohol is available.

Michele Finch, of Marley Hill, Gateshead, said: “Make the age limit to buy alcohol 21. Take it out of supermarkets and into specialised stores. Ban alcopops or price them higher, but education is also a factor. Teenagers must be encouraged to learn that although alcohol gives a quick high the lows and illness it can cause outweigh the short term happiness.”

Colin Jacobs, of Rochester, Northumberland, said: “There needs to be far greater vigilance of the law by shop owners and staff and bigger penalties if they don’t. Putting up prices is another tax that will not stop kids from buying it.” Tim Sewell, of Alnwick, Northumberland, said: “Stop the big supermarkets selling cheap booze.”

Ann Brown, of Tynemouth, North Tyneside, said: “Where do the under 18s get their booze? Severely fine the suppliers be it shops, friends or parents.

“You could also fine the parents if youngsters are found drinking on streets.” Brian Harbottle, of Wylam, Northumberland, agrees. He said: “Stop their supply. Someone is either selling it to them or buying it for them. Trace these people, revoke their licence if they are a shop and/or fine them heavily.” Dawn Graham, of South Shields, said: “Stop selling alcohol to under 25s.” Richard Hannam, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “Police must take a zero tolerance approach with retailers.”

Steve Chisholm, of Chapel Park, Newcastle, said “Phase in a minimum age of 21, adopt a zero tolerance approach to any under age drinking with drinker, supplier and parents all by law being made to do some community service.”

Mick Brady, of Newcastle, said: “Alcohol should be sold only in licensed houses. If it’s an off sales, the age limit should be 25 years. Stop all sales from general corner shops.”

Adam Langman, of North Shields, said: “Stronger penalties – even closure – of shops, bars and clubs who serve under age.”

The Journal Jury

Parental responsibility and our attitude to alcohol as a society also featured heavily in our juror’s thoughts.

Ivor Yule, of North Shields, said: “We really need to change the family culture and address the issue of family and parental responsibility to deal with things like under age drinking.”

Peter Kerr, of Gosforth, Newcastle, said: “Many of them are merely mimicking behaviour they see at home. Also if many of us are honest we too tried source booze when we were young, however it was not easy to get hold of. Now it is. Kids haven't changed, the alcohol industry has.”

Kate Griffin, of Durham City said: “We should ban drinking in public places, with strong penalties. Families should encourage responsible drinking.”

Pat Nixon, of Rowlands Gill, Gateshead, said: “We should make it illegal to drink on the streets like America.”

And Mike Brown, of Ponteland, doesn’t want more “daft nanny state legislation.” He said: “Their elders should set a better example. There is also a need for affordable alternative meeting places, like cheaper coffee bars. Drink should not be accepted as a valid excuse for criminal behaviour but as an aggravating factor, as it is with motoring offences.”

Robert Thompson, of Stakeford, said: “Obviously the onus is on parents to set standards but the Government sanctions 24-hour drinking and then tries to pass unenforceable laws to rectify the situation they created.”

Shirley Mills, of Jesmond, Newcastle, said: “As the parent of a 17 and 20-year-old, we should be encouraging continental style sensible drinking habits with family meals at home.”

Mark Sutton, of Newcastle, said: “Enforcing larger sentences for those caught on the street with alcohol would help.”

David Williams, of Ashington, said: “The UK is one of those rare countries where the pleasures of the bottle are divorced from those of the table. Families need to teach children that a sociable meal out is a better bet than spending an evening being drunk, violent and arrested.

Bill Bower, of Morpeth, Northumberland, said: “It is largely a result of poor parenting. Fine parents or make them attend classes.”

Pauline Williams, of Hexham, Northumberland, said: “Problems such as binge drinking among teenagers and related disruptive behaviour stem from a complete lack of respect for parents, friends, neighbours and authority of any kind but mainly a total lack of respect for themselves. We need to teach our children respect for people and property from a very early age.”

David Ratliff, of Gosforth, Newcastle, said: “Culture change and constructive education are needed.”

Join The Journal Jury

THE Journal Jury is a new concept in reader participation – and you can join in. We have more than 160 readers who have signed up to be members of the jury, a text-based interactive project which allows readers to have their say on the big issues of the day.

We are texting this pool of readers on their mobile phones – never more than twice a month – and asking them what they think of the main stories of the day.

We’ll also ensure the questions are on subjects relevant to you.

The Journal’s editor Brian Aitken said: “Texting will provide people with a quick and easy way of getting their view on to the news pages. Every reader now has the chance to actually shape The Journal’s news content.” To join The Journal Jury, register online at www.journallive.co.uk/jury