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To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Sunday, June 1, 2008

Parents, police powers and ID targeted in new crackdown on teenage binge drinkers

Patrick Wintour, political editor
The Guardian,
Monday June 2 2008

Parents are to be advised at what age they should let their children drink alcohol at home, under government plans to be announced today to tackle youth binge drinking.

All pubs and clubs will also be expected to seek ID before serving alcohol to anyone looking 21 or younger.

Licensed premises will lose their licence or face fines if they break the law on underage drinking twice. At present fines are imposed only after three offences.

The proposals are on top of plans set out by the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, at the weekend to make it unlawful for anyone under 18 to "persistently" possess alcohol in public. Police will be given powers to disperse groups of children as young as 10, instead of 16 as at present.

Ministers say there is conclusive evidence that a minority of young people are drinking more heavily, with damaging social and health consequences. Ed Balls, the children's secretary, will announce that the chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, will be asked to draw up advice for parents on when they should let their children drink at home.
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