Police to target illicit drinking at school discos

UNIFORMED officers will be posted to carry out inspections at two Scottish schools in an effort to crack down on underage drinking it has emerged.

• Police will use breathalyser kits and ‘dip strips’ if they suspect underage drinking

• Critics have branded the idea ‘disproportionate’

Pupils at Eyemouth High School and Berwickshire High School in Duns could be faced with a breathalyser test if officers suspect that children are guilty of underage drinking.

Police will carry ‘dip strips’, which will determine whether or not a drink contains any alcohol. The move is designed to combat illicit drinking, as concerns over underage drinking continue to grow.

Earlier this year, new statistics revealed that one in three Scottish children are binge drinking by the age of 13. In one incident, a 15-year-old boy was found unconscious in sub-zero temperatures in the Scottish Borders.

Parent Patricia Houliston, called for the tests to be introduced after her son was taken to hospital for drinking too much in October.

She said: “I’m ashamed of myself because I knew from what he said there was under-age drinking going on in to the town.

“My son can’t tell me why he did what he did. He only knew something was wrong when he woke up in hospital attached to a drip.

“I’m not trying to preach to anyone but I don’t want there to be a death before the community sits up and takes notice.”

The move has been welcomed by Alcohol Focus Scotland. Barbara O’Donnell, a representative from the organisation, said: “Any initiative that seeks to raise awareness and understanding of the harm that alcohol can cause is to be welcomed, as are initiatives to address underage drinking.”

Backlash

The move has been met with criticism from several groups across Scotland.

Jonathan Isby, a representative from Taxpayer Scotland, said: “People expect their taxes to pay police to keep them safe and catch criminals, and to pay teachers to teach and discipline children who misbehave while at school.”

He said that taxpayers would not be happy to learn that their money “is being spent on policing - literally - school discos”.

Meanwhile, a civil liberties campaign group has also took issue with the move. Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch, said: “It’s hardly surprising young people feel hard done by when they’re being told to take random breathalyser tests and have their drinks tested.

“This seems a totally disproportionate response when all that needs to happen is teachers should ring the parents of kids that are drunk and only involve the police when it’s causing trouble.”

Officers will be present at the schools from next week.