News.Scotland.Org

March, 29

So no drinks for below-21s this bold step was taken by one of the small towns in Scotland to curb the under-age drinking menace. It was evident that alcohol was easily available for these under-age drinkers easily deteriorating their life and pushing them towards antisocial behaviours. Taking an initiative to put a stop to this growing problem in the society this six-week pilot scheme came to force.

This new pilot project in the small town of Armadale, West Lothian is said to act from 5pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights. This pilot scheme was developed by East Lothian and Border Police. It was known that the new scheme was also flayed by a section of grocery and alcohol campaigners.

Meanwhile the positive aspect is that in West Lothian council the alcohol shop which sells alcohol has agreed to ask customers their age proof who appears to be under-age. Constable Phillip McIntosh of the Safer Neighbourhoods team said, “Youth disorder is often linked to alcohol, and Armadale is no different to any other town in Scotland”. He added the target is not only to curb and stop the under-age access to alcohol, but also to aware those who supply alcohol to these youngsters.

The President of the Scottish Grocers Fondation, Colin Landsburgh said we should make the use of a national proof-of-age card by all people who want to buy alcohol with an age restriction. He further said we should try and intensify this initiative and also in a big manner across Scotland. He also appreciated the role of the police who made this whole project more active. It was also thought to include the clubs and pubs in the parameters of this under-age drinking regulation, so that no under-age child gets alcohol.