New partnership highlights risk of underage drinking
Ahead of the launch of two new Community Alcohol Partnerships in the city, Lib Dem health and wellbeing spokesperson Cllr Matthew Winnington has celebrated the success of the more than 300 partnerships already operating across the UK.
Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) highlight the risks of underage drinking to children and young people, bringing together organisations and the community to educate young people and help them to make better decisions about issues such as alcohol, drugs, and anti-social behaviour.
The two new partnerships will work with schools in Paulsgrove and Portsea to hear from children and young people about the ideas they have to address underage drinking, and support communities in implementing ideas.
We’re delighted to be working with our communities to understand and address the impact underage drinking can have on children and young people. The two CAPs in Paulsgrove and Portsea are testament to the relationships between the council, local schools and our residents, who are committed to working together and making a real difference to the people of Portsmouth.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care.
A 2018 Portsmouth City Council survey with secondary school students found that by the age of 15, in year 10, 40% of were drinking alcohol regularly up from 11% in year 8 (12-13-year-olds) - and 21% had been drunk at least once in the month before the survey.
For those who had tried or regularly drunk alcohol, 55% said "it’s normal, everyone does it".
We know from extensive research that underage drinking can lead to lots of challenges for young people in their education, relationships, health and also in later life. We also know that the work CAPs do in local communities can help reduce things like the supply of alcohol to children, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and underage street drinking. That’s why it’s great to see local partners coming together in this new CAP to highlight the risks of underage drinking and reduce alcohol harm among our young people.
Kate Winstanley, Director, Community Alcohol Partnerships CIC