[BIG-BRO-FAN]

Just wondering, what you guys think of underage drinking? and how can it be stopped? or CAN it be stopped? who's at fault? I would love to hear your views on this topic...all comments welcome...

[Princess]

Why should it be stopped? Everyone nowadays drinks underage anyways. I don't really see it as a big deal.

[James]

Call to raise drinking age to 21

Britain should consider making the legal drinking age 21 as it has "lost the plot" when it comes to regulating alcohol, policy pundits claim.

The UK has one of the worst problems in Europe with a fifth of children aged 11 to 15 drinking at least once a week.

Public Policy Research (PPR), the journal of the IPPR think-tank, says it is time to practice "tough love", such as reviewing the minimum drinking age.

The government said there were already tough measures in place.

Binge culture

But columnist Jasper Gerard argues in PPR: "When it comes to booze, society seems to have lost its senses."

He says current regulations are failing to tackle the growing trend of underage and binge drinking.

By raising the age threshold, he claims: "It is at least possible that those in their early and mid teens will not see drink as something they will soon be allowed to do so therefore they might as well start doing it surreptitiously now."

Alternatively, he proposes getting 18-year-olds to carry smart cards which record how much they have drunk each night and making it an offence to serve more alcohol to anyone under-21 who had already consumed more than three units.

Crackdown

He conceded that no measure would stamp out youthful drinking entirely, but said it was time for a crackdown.

Alcohol Concern agreed that further action was needed, but did not think raising the legal drinking age would help, pointing out that other countries which have already done this, including the US, still have a problem with youth drinking.


What we really need to do is change the drinking culture through education rather than making drinking a social taboo
David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group

But a spokesman added: "There is a sense that the regulatory landscape is lopsided.

"Licensing reform, resistance to a debate on taxation, the cancellation of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns which raised the profile of underage drinking issues - all happening at a time when alcohol-related harm is rising - seem to suggest the government is more concerned about making sure the drinks industry operates with as little interference as possible than with seriously grasping the nettle."

However, David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, said the drinks industry was already subject to "very strict and effective" regulations.


ALCOHOL MISUSE
Alcohol-related conditions such as liver disease have doubled in less than a decade, to 262,844 a year
The number of people taken to Accident & Emergency with alcohol-related injuries has also doubled to 148,477 a year
Excessive drinking by young people has seen a 20% rise in hospital admissions in England over the last five years

He said: "What we really need to do is change the drinking culture through education rather than making drinking a social taboo by raising the legal drinking age."

A government spokesman said: "The majority of people drink sensibly and responsibly and the government has no plans to raise the minimum drinking age.

"Instead, we are using a combination of effective education and tough enforcement to change the behaviour of the minority that don't."

He said there had been campaigns to cut sales to underage drinkers and restrictions on TV advertising of alcohol, as well as education programmes in schools about the dangers of drinking.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6551887.stm

[BIG-BRO-FAN]

I think making the legal age to start drinking at 21 years of age is a terrible idea, this will encourage youngsters to drink even more. Dont you think?

[Emilee]

LOL I dont see a problem really..... but not on street corners.... and getting totally out of your head... but it cant really be stopped...

All teenagers drink before they're 18.

[nodisharmony]

I know that loads of Children drink and if it is just one drink and that's all, there shouldn't be much problem.

But it should be more of a treat, rather than a daily occurance.

But, it is up to the parents really.

I didn't drink till I was 22 years old.

Wasn't I good?



nodisharmony

[Emilee]

LOL WOW!!!!!!
Thats a long time to be an alcohol virgin.

Well done.

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by Emilee
LOL WOW!!!!!!
Thats a long time to be an alcohol virgin.

Well done.

I never liked the taste, Emilee

When I was young, my parents used to have a drinks cabinet and I would open up each bottle and put my finger in and taste it.

Yuk

They were all horrible and I never understood how anybody could drink these alcoholic drinks.

But, I decided that it was time and tried Vodka & Orange, which was horrible, so I put "Lime" instead and tried, "Thunderbird Blue" and was sick a few times, but bit by bit, I got over it all and now I have no problem.

But I hate "Lager"

I drink "Cider" mostly.

Try this drink, it's called a (Red Witch) :- a Can of Cider, Strongbow usually, then, add a single Pernod and pour in a bit of Blackcurrant Shweppes cordial, just to turn in red, (not too much) Blackcurrant though.

It get's you P***d, that's for sure!! and it's lovely too.


nodisharmony

[Sophii3x]

There would be no point raising the age limit. Most teens these days (and I'm one of them) drink before they are 18. Raising the limit will just be stupid.

I drink like once/twice a week, and I really don't see the problem with going out and getting sloshed once in a while!

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by Sophii3x
There would be no point raising the age limit. Most teens these days (and I'm one of them) drink before they are 18. Raising the limit will just be stupid.

I drink like once/twice a week, and I really don't see the problem with going out and getting sloshed once in a while!

I agree Sophii3x,

It is stupid and pointless raising the age-limit.

girls & boys drink & smoke and do as they wish. Just don't tell mum & dad that's all.

A secret drinker. That's the answer?


nodisharmony

[Sunny_01]

I dont think that raising the age limit will do much to discourage young people from drinking, I think that the only problem will be them obtaining it as easily as they do now. A lot of places now have a 21 years age limit anyway, places like Morrisons etc..

Most young people have tried drinking, but that doesnt mean they all get drunk every week. My 13 year old has been drunk (much to my disdain) but she had to try it most kids do! I have never made alcohol taboo and both my kids have been allowed to have wine with meals and a drink on special occasions or even made a very low in alcohol punch for my eldest daughters 16th birthday after checking with the other kids parents that they didnt mind.

The problem is with those who have to take everything to the excess, which tends to get alll young people tarred with the same brush sadly.

[Arneldo]

I personally think the drinking age should be lowered to sixteen. But i suppose it doesnt really matter what age it is at, people will drink whenever they want.

[Lil-Lindz]

i dont see the big problem with people who are underage havin like 1 drink, but those ppl who go out and get legless and are sick everywhere are weird. Personally i think its their fault, they know its not allowed but they still do it. Also whoever got the drink is wrong because they shuld know they arent allowed to drink
Well thats my opinion

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by bb4eva
I personally think the drinking age should be lowered to sixteen. But i suppose it doesnt really matter what age it is at, people will drink whenever they want.

It is hard to work out age too

These two girls in this Youtube video could be sixteen or a bit younger or a bit older?

But when you get drunk, you can regret the things you do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omWXWPnx2qE

Maybe they will regret it? Maybe not.


nodisharmony

[Emilee]

Im not watching that if theyre being sick everywhere.....

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by Emilee
Im not watching that if theyre being sick everywhere.....

There are loads of videos of drunk girls & guys on Youtube, the one I posted above, just stood out.

I know it is outrageous

The problem with many under-age drinkers, is, they are not used to drinking much and when they go out with their mates, whether it is to a club, pub or even round a mates house

It is easy to go too far and make yourself ill & sick or do the silly things which are similar to my above Youtube video.



nodisharmony

[BIG-BRO-FAN]

So does everyone find it OK for 15 odd 15 year olds to go drinking in a field?

[nodisharmony]

Originally posted by BIG-BRO-FAN
So does everyone find it OK for 15 odd 15 year olds to go drinking in a field?

If 15 odd 15 year olds go drinking in a field and drink so much that they are totally out of control and without parental supervision, then it is wrong.

But if all 15 choose to NOT tell their mums & dads, then there is little that anyone can do.

BUT, if they have one drink and it is an organised affair and the parent's know, and they are completely safe, then it should be okay.

It is much better than Smoking.

I am Dead against that, I'm afraid!!



nodisharmony

[Sunny_01]

you see I do have problems with organised drunkness from a group of 15 year olds. I find it worrying for them.

As for smoking well in the short term I would disagree I would rather my teen had the odd sneaky fag than took part in drinking on the streets. After all alcohol is a mind altering substance and she could be in any kind of danger under the influence.

[Mike]

I think its a disgrace that most places don't even ask for ID when it comes to alcohol, we were in a pub at the weekend and a mate of mine whos 17 walked up to bar and got served no problem, it's only going to get worse as well because the amount of youngsters who look alot older than they actually are is unbelievable and to be fair to the staff at these places their not to know.

[Ella]

Underage drinking is always going to be a problem..Although I don't really thinkit's that bad....I mean I was clubbing when I was 15 and was drinking at 13-14 and I've turned out ok! Just let them get on with It I say.

[BIG-BRO-FAN]

So is it ok for a group of 20 teenagers to go drinking in a field???

[nodisharmony]

The problem with underage drinking is pressure from friends who do drink and associate with your son or daughter.

If 20 girls go out to a field and their ages range between 13 to 15 years old and 4 of them bring alcohol with them, a few cans of lager or a bottle or two of vodka, not only are the 4 girl's or boys going to drink, it will get shared about.

Parents can do very little about this, whether drinking or smoking. It is more about fitting in and enjoying the moment.

I certainly would be more concerned if they were taking ecstacy or other drugs.

A harmless drinking session is not the end of the world and you don't see warnings on can's of lager about "drinking kills", like cigarettes do.

Both are addictive, but smoking is worse, no doubt!! Roll on July...
___________________________________________
If you walk into a very quiet pub and you look quite young, there is a good chance that you won't get served.

If it is very busy and it is one of those pubs where it takes 10 minutes to get served, usually you'll get served.

But many times, if three girls go to a pub, one is 16, the other is 14 & the other is 13 if the 16 year old looks older, she'll go to the bar and order three drinks and the other two younger girl's blend into the crowd.

After the drink's are consumed, one of them may have a small bottle of vodka or another spirit, hidden in their handbag or ruck-suck and sneekily pour it into the now-empty glass.


nodisharmony

[bananarama]

Originally posted by Princess
Why should it be stopped? Everyone nowadays drinks underage anyways. I don't really see it as a big deal.

Its a big deal if you destroy your liver at a young age........

[12bigbrother12]

I don't have a problem with people drinking underage.

The more we restrict children from having drink the more they will want it, the more they want it the more likely they are to get it, when they get it the more likely they are to drink lots of it. however, if they have access to it from a younger age they won't crave it or see it as a big deal and are more likely to stay away from it