Youngsters targeted in drink abuse campaign (From Gazette & Herald)

Youngsters targeted in drink abuse campaign

10:19am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Karen Darley

A CAMPAIGN is being relaunched to crack down on alcohol abuse and under-age drinking.

The Alcohol Respect Campaign will initially concentrate on Malton and Norton where there have been complaints, not only about under-age drinking but also about crowds congregating in Malton town centre late at night which have deterred others from visiting the area.

Four years ago, in response to the growing number of sales of alcohol and age-restricted products to underage people in Ryedale, the Safer Ryedale Partnership launched the Alcohol Respect Campaign.

Now, Safer Ryedale Partnership, which includes North Yorkshire Police, is relaunching the campaign in conjunction with Trading Standards and the Cambridge Centre which helps those with alcohol and drug problems.

The activity will complement the Government’s national ‘No ID No Sale’ and the ‘Challenge 21/25’ campaign which aims to reduce the instances of age restricted products being sold to underage people.

Ryedale District Council’s community safety team and professionals from Cambridge Centre Drug and Alcohol Services, will be in Malton Market Place on Saturday, October 20 with an exhibition reminding people of the initiatives. There will be information available on the night and leaflets and giveaways bearing the alcohol harm reduction and staying safe messages.

Ryedale’s police chief, Insp Andy Everitt, said: “This joint initiative is at the very heart of our approach in trying to make a difference about the impact that alcohol has on individuals, families and our communities.

“We are trying to get the message out to everyone, young or old, as a consumer or a retailer, and to offer support and guidance.

“This initiative is not just about preventing crime and disorder related to alcohol consumption but trying to raise awareness of the impact that alcohol can have on physical and mental health and ultimately the health of our community in its various guises.

“We all have a role to play here either as a consumer, retailer, parent or friend.

“‘Binge drinking’ and ‘pre-loading’ are two aspects of drinking behaviour that I am asking consumers to consider carefully from both a health and crime prevention perspective.”

Before taking over his current role Insp Everitt managed the custody office at York.

He said: “I lost count of the amount of times I would review prisoners in the cells first thing in the morning who had no recollection of what they had done the night before or indeed where they were, due to their intoxicated state.

“On the reverse side, consider how vulnerable you may be as a potential victim of crime due to your intoxicated state and the immediate environment.”

Earlier this year Insp Everitt held a meeting at the Milton Rooms in Malton with landlords to discuss how they could co-operate better with each other and with the police in sorting out those causing trouble late at night because of alcohol.

Also during October trading standards officers with police support will be visiting licensed premises to offer support to counter and bar staff who refuse to sell age-restricted products to anyone who appears to be 21/25 or under and does not have an acceptable form of photo identification.