Drinkaware Trust leaflet encourages giving youngsters beer

Oct 10 2009 The Journal

PARENTS in the North East are being encouraged to offer children as young as eight a drink of alcohol.

The advice comes in a leaflet being distributed from a North East Police Station.

It came to light as Tyneside hosted a two-day conference that brought together 200 experts from around the world to discuss the growing problem of alcohol abuse.

The controversial leaflet, on offer in Whitley Bay Police Station, is produced by the Drinkaware Trust charity.

Funded by drinks companies and supermarket chains, it tells parents that giving their eight to 11 year olds a taste of alcohol will avoid them drinking in secret.

The leaflet says: “If your child is aged eight to 11 they are likely to have their first taste of alcohol at some point. You might want to let them have a sip so that they are not tempted to try it behind your back.”

But the recommendations provoked a strong reaction last night.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “We would never suggest that parents should encourage young children to drink alcohol as this would be against the law and could also be detrimental to a child’s health.”

Colin Shevills, director of alcohol campaign group Balance, said the advice flew in the face of Government guidance.

“As important as it is to educate children at this early stage, the Chief Medical Officer advises that children should experience an alcohol free childhood up to at least the age of 15,” he said.

“This is particularly due to the fact that the brain is still developing during this period and may be harmed by alcohol consumption.”