Get tough on drink problem

12:29pm Monday 24th March 2008

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CELEBRITIES have been blamed for encouraging underage drinking by a committee of Lancashire County Council.

The panel, which has made a series of recommendations about how to tackle the problem, also said children needed better education about the dangers of drink and the need to act responsibly.

Councillors are right to raise the issues of underage drinking and should be applauded for seeking to come up with solutions to a difficult issue.

But it seems there has been a lot of talk in recent years and little change.

If anything, the problem is getting worse.

Drinking underage seems to be so much a part of our culture that it is an inescapable right of passage.

It has been allowed to happen and grow for too long, bringing with it knock-on effects of anti-social behaviour which blights communities.

We need tough action, not words, to stop the underage being able to get their hands on alcohol in the first place.

Police should step up work in communities, naming and shaming and prosecuting more shops that sell to people who are underage.

And parents or others who provide youngsters with drink should also face tougher penalties.

Tackle the source, then the slow process of changing our culture can begin.