Government Strategy
Current Government Strategy: Schools, Youth and Alcohol
The Government launched its Youth Alcohol Action Plan in June 2008 with an overall objective of reducing the damage that young people, families and the community experience as a result of underage drinking. Key aims include:
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stopping the problem of young people drinking in public places by making it an offence for under-18s to persistently possess alcohol in a public place, announced in the Queen’s Speech in December 2008; and ensuring the police, courts and other authorities have the enforcement powers they need to tackle this;
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working with the alcohol retail industry, such as pubs, shops and off-licences, to strengthen their Social Responsibility Standards through a mandatory code;
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continuing to tackle the instances of underage sales of alcohol by changing the offence for persistent underage alcohol sales from three to two instances in three months; and
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helping young people to make sensible decisions about drinking by creating a communications campaign about the risks of alcohol, aimed particularly at the 11–15-year-old age group. Following the review of drug and alcohol education, the Government has also made Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) a statutory subject in all schools, ensuring that all young people will receive education on the risks of alcohol and important life skills to help minimise these risk.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families is currently consulting on advice and guidance for parents on children, young people and alcohol. The guidance is set to include elements of the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) Guidance on youth and alcohol. BII has submitted a response to this consultation offering the BII Schools Project and BIIAB Level 1 Award in Alcohol Awareness as a ready-made solution.
