Let's end this misery Campaign launched to stop underage drinking
LET'S make Falkirk a better place to live – that's the aim of a bold new campaign launched this week by The Falkirk Herald.
Called 'Cork It', we want the initiative to spark massive changes in the drinking culture that brings misery to communities.
Only last week we highlighted the tragic story of a 15-year-old killed by a hit-and-run driver when he staggered into the middle of the road after a drinking session in a local park.
In the coming weeks we will be highlighting the risks and dangers faced by young drinkers, the nightmare of parents who see young lives being ruined and the misery of neighbourhoods regularly subjected to nights of mayhem.
The entire community is being urged to get behind this campaign which aims to address the problems caused by underage drinking and was prompted by last July's tragic death of Larbert schoolboy Neil Forrester.
A 22-year-old man who bought the St Mungo's High pupil Buckfast and cider was fined £750 when he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last week.
Although the schoolboy's underage drinking had tragic consequences, it is a far from unique occurrence.
Last year, The Falkirk Herald reported the case of a Denny woman who allowed a nine-year-old to drink cider in her home. The youngster was later taken to Stirling Royal Infirmary where he was found to be "extremely drunk" and treated for the affects of alcohol.
Central Scotland Police officers are often faced with 'mopping up' the aftermath of underage drinking – everything from taking home youngsters who are under the influence to dealing with drink-fuelled fights and assaults.
In one month alone, officers seized more than 600 litres of alcohol across the force area and visited more than 300 licensed premises to remind management and staff of their legal duties.
Support for 'Cork It' has come from all quarters. Falkirk's First Citizen, Provost Jim Johnston, gave his backing and said: "The death of a young man is undoubtedly a tragedy and all too often the misuse of alcohol can have such terrible consequences.
"The entire community has a responsibility to raise awareness of the issues surrounding underage drinking. We need to ensure young people take a sensible approach to using alcohol and I would support anything The Falkirk Herald can do to bring this to everyone's attention."
Chief Constable Andrew Cameron welcomed the campaign.
He said: "The issues surrounding underage drinking are many, wide-ranging and can be far-reaching.
"It can impact directly on the youngster consuming the alcohol right through to the adult buying it as an 'agent', the licensee who sells it and the family of the youngster admitted to hospital because they have been found drunk in a local park.
"Officers are very focused on this particular issue as it is something that the public tell us consistently is of greatest concern to them.
"The police cannot solve this problem on our own. There needs to be a greater awareness and responsibility on the part of the general public, parents and the youngsters and I would commend The Falkirk Herald for taking this stance."
Hospital staff are also at the sharp end of dealing with the more unpleasant side of underage drinking.
Campbell Christie, chairman of NHS Forth Valley's acute services committee, said: "In my view, the main lesson we have to learn from the dreadful death of Neil Forrester is the role the adult played in his death.
"Alcohol taken in moderation by adults does not pose a health or social problem. Alcohol taken in excess, or by adolescents, can lead to all kinds of problems.
''It is up to us as adults to do all that we can to ensure that young people are prevented from drinking alcohol. That applies to all of us as parents, it applies to those who serve alcohol in pubs and clubs, and it applies to those who sell alcohol in supermarkets and off licences.
"We, as adults, hold up our hands in horror at the youth 'binge drinking' culture we see in our streets most weekends. But we have it in our own hands to discourage that culture."
NHS Forth Valley chief executive Fiona Mackenzie, who also chairs the Substance Action Team, said alcohol was behind around 15 per cent of A&E cases.
She said: "In Forth Valley we work closely with the police and other agencies to tackle this problem, and next month we are holding a conference to start drawing up plans on how future substance education is delivered in Forth Valley. To learn of children under the age of 12 suffering from the effects of alcohol is an indication of just how serious the problem has become."
jill.buchanan@falkirkherald.co.uk
Called 'Cork It', we want the initiative to spark massive changes in the drinking culture that brings misery to communities.
Only last week we highlighted the tragic story of a 15-year-old killed by a hit-and-run driver when he staggered into the middle of the road after a drinking session in a local park.
In the coming weeks we will be highlighting the risks and dangers faced by young drinkers, the nightmare of parents who see young lives being ruined and the misery of neighbourhoods regularly subjected to nights of mayhem.
The entire community is being urged to get behind this campaign which aims to address the problems caused by underage drinking and was prompted by last July's tragic death of Larbert schoolboy Neil Forrester.
A 22-year-old man who bought the St Mungo's High pupil Buckfast and cider was fined £750 when he appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last week.
Although the schoolboy's underage drinking had tragic consequences, it is a far from unique occurrence.
Last year, The Falkirk Herald reported the case of a Denny woman who allowed a nine-year-old to drink cider in her home. The youngster was later taken to Stirling Royal Infirmary where he was found to be "extremely drunk" and treated for the affects of alcohol.
Central Scotland Police officers are often faced with 'mopping up' the aftermath of underage drinking – everything from taking home youngsters who are under the influence to dealing with drink-fuelled fights and assaults.
In one month alone, officers seized more than 600 litres of alcohol across the force area and visited more than 300 licensed premises to remind management and staff of their legal duties.
Support for 'Cork It' has come from all quarters. Falkirk's First Citizen, Provost Jim Johnston, gave his backing and said: "The death of a young man is undoubtedly a tragedy and all too often the misuse of alcohol can have such terrible consequences.
"The entire community has a responsibility to raise awareness of the issues surrounding underage drinking. We need to ensure young people take a sensible approach to using alcohol and I would support anything The Falkirk Herald can do to bring this to everyone's attention."
Chief Constable Andrew Cameron welcomed the campaign.
He said: "The issues surrounding underage drinking are many, wide-ranging and can be far-reaching.
"It can impact directly on the youngster consuming the alcohol right through to the adult buying it as an 'agent', the licensee who sells it and the family of the youngster admitted to hospital because they have been found drunk in a local park.
"Officers are very focused on this particular issue as it is something that the public tell us consistently is of greatest concern to them.
"The police cannot solve this problem on our own. There needs to be a greater awareness and responsibility on the part of the general public, parents and the youngsters and I would commend The Falkirk Herald for taking this stance."
Hospital staff are also at the sharp end of dealing with the more unpleasant side of underage drinking.
Campbell Christie, chairman of NHS Forth Valley's acute services committee, said: "In my view, the main lesson we have to learn from the dreadful death of Neil Forrester is the role the adult played in his death.
"Alcohol taken in moderation by adults does not pose a health or social problem. Alcohol taken in excess, or by adolescents, can lead to all kinds of problems.
''It is up to us as adults to do all that we can to ensure that young people are prevented from drinking alcohol. That applies to all of us as parents, it applies to those who serve alcohol in pubs and clubs, and it applies to those who sell alcohol in supermarkets and off licences.
"We, as adults, hold up our hands in horror at the youth 'binge drinking' culture we see in our streets most weekends. But we have it in our own hands to discourage that culture."
NHS Forth Valley chief executive Fiona Mackenzie, who also chairs the Substance Action Team, said alcohol was behind around 15 per cent of A&E cases.
She said: "In Forth Valley we work closely with the police and other agencies to tackle this problem, and next month we are holding a conference to start drawing up plans on how future substance education is delivered in Forth Valley. To learn of children under the age of 12 suffering from the effects of alcohol is an indication of just how serious the problem has become."
jill.buchanan@falkirkherald.co.uk
25 January 2007
