Underage drinking campaign
What is the issue?
Young people in Galashiels have raised concerns about adults buying alcohol for children and young people. Teenage drinking can have an immediate and long term impact on health and the earlier teenagers start drinking regularly, the greater the risk of problem drinking in adulthood.
Direct purchase of alcohol by a young person is rare with the majority of alcohol sourced from home, a friend or relative.
The Scottish Borders Safer Communities Team, which will involve us, Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, has launched the Don’t Buy It, Don’t Supply It campaign with support from the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership.
The campaign message is based around a project undertaken by TD1 Youth Hub and Galashiels Academy.
Aims
The campaign will raise awareness in Borders and aims to:
- promote responsibility amongst adults who may feel pressurised into buying or supplying alcohol for a young person
- reduce alcohol related harm among under 18s
- reduce the number of incidents of anti social behaviour by under 18s under the influence of alcohol
Legislation
New legislation came into force in Scotland in 2017 making it an offence to simply supply alcohol to anyone under 18 for consumption in a public place.
Under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, if adults are caught supplying (or buying) alcohol to an under 18, they could face a fine of up to £5k or up to three months in prison.
If under 18 and caught by the police with alcohol, they will have it confiscated and this may lead to serious consequences for the person who supplied or purchased it.
Retailers and licensees also face serious implications if caught selling to under 18s.
When is the campaign happening?
The campaign will run over 12 months and focus on key periods when adults are more likely to buy and/or supply alcohol to children and young people. Parents and guardians will be advised to think twice if asked to supply or buy alcohol to a young person.
Launching on 8 December for the festive season, the campaign will see police and partners carrying out a range of activities, coupled with local and social media coverage alongside visual advertising in the community.
What can I do to help?
We have a number of promotional materials which you can download to support the campaign:
It would be much appreciated if you could share these on your social media pages, website, office plasma screens or within your community.
If you have difficulty downloading the materials, or wish to request a physical copy of the campaign poster, please contact Communications.
Alternatively, you can share social media content from the pages of the various partners.
You may also be interested in a similar campaign called Not A Favour asking adult to not buy tobacco for children and young people.