Information for Young People
Thinking of Drinking?
Alcohol, crime and anti social behaviour
Like it or not, there is a definite link between drinking, crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
So what do we mean by 'crime'? Well, in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, anti-social behaviour is described as:
"acting in an anti-social manner as a manner that caused or was likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household"
This includes alcohol abuse and the police and other people can take action if they suspect drinking is causing or leading to ASB.
You are much more likely to commit or be involved in a crime if you have been drinking.
Even if you are not committing any crime while out drinking, it can still affect others. People in your community, including other young people, may feel much more uncomfortable or scared around you if they think you're drunk and this can lead to them thinking you're doing something wrong, even if you're not.
If young people make more noise while they're out drinking, they might think they're just having a laugh and not bothering anybody but other people who live there might not see it that way. The media can use this to have a go at ALL young people, even though most of you don't commit crime or ASB. Does this seem fair?
ASB is linked to underage drinking and if you're out in parks, on the streets or near shops you may be linked to any vandalism, graffiti or litter that's there, even if it's not you that's done it.
ASB can also be called 'nuisance', 'disorder' and 'harassment'.
Examples include...
- Yobbish behaviour and intimidating groups taking over public spaces.
- Vandalism and graffiti.
- Anti-social drinking - drinking in public places (on the street).
- Shouting, screaming or swearing.
- Hanging round in groups and causing a nuisance.
- Threats of violence to people or property.
- Underage drinking in groups.
So what can the police do about it? Well, the list below is just a start…
- Warning letters, interviews, contracts and agreements
- Parenting orders and ASBO’s (anti social behaviour orders)
- Individual support orders
These actions could be taken by the police, local authorities or Youth Offending Teams.
If the problems continue, you could end up in a lot more trouble, have to go to court, or even end up with a criminal record! Ask yourself: Is it really worth all this hassle?
If you want more information about the links between alcohol and crime you can ask your local youth worker or Partnership Young People’s Police Officer (PYPPO) in your area, or you can contact Know the Score Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service on 01709 836047.
Still thinking of drinking? Don’t forget to look at the other bits of the site to find out more about how alcohol can affect your life so you can decide properly if it’s worth risking that drink!
STILL Thinking of Drinking?
The health advice is that that an ‘alcohol free’ childhood is the healthiest and best option – if young people drink alcohol it should not be until at least the age of 15 years but the healthiest option is not to drink until you’re 18 (and then stick to the adult recommended limits).
If you do choose to drink at 15 the chief medical officer advises that you don’t drink more than once a week and don’t go over the recommended units for an adult per day – so, per week don’t drink more than 2-3 units if you’re female and 3 – 4 units a day if you’re male.
An adult is advised not to drink more than that a day, this is because they have the enzyme that the liver uses to process the alcohol to get it out of your body, young people don’t have this and females have less than males. The alcohol stays in the body longer so does more damage.
If you are going to drink:
- Talk about alcohol with your parent/carer and negotiate what’s acceptable to both of you.
- Have something to eat and a soft drink.
- Have some soft drinks too.
- Drink a lower strength drink.
- Tell your parents, carers and friends where you’re going and when you’re coming home.
- Know how you’re going to get home.
- If you’re worried or feel threatened don’t be shy of talking to a police officer.
- If you’re worried about a friend because they’ve drunk too much call a responsible adult or an ambulance and stay with them.
- Keep close to your friends and agree never to leave anyone out on their own.
Don’t be afraid to tell your friends if you think they’re making a bad decision. If you’re feeling pressure to join in drinking with your friends it can be hard to say no, you don’t have to explain yourself or lie, be confident and say that you aren’t drinking....but... you can have a few good reasons not to already prepared,
- Parents won’t let you.
- Not feeling well and don’t want to feel worse.
- Test at school next day you need to pass.
- Don’t like the taste.
- Have a soft drink with you.
Get unit wise
One way of comparing the amount of alcohol in different types of drink is using "units".
Each of the following contains one unit:
- A small 125ml glass of wine (9% ABV) = 1 UNIT (note: many wines are 11 or 12% ABV) Glasses of wine we buy are often sold in 175ml or 250ml measures = 2 UNITS or more.
- A 25ml pub measure of spirit (40% ABV) = 1 UNIT
- Half pint of ordinary strength lager/beer/cider (3.5% ABV) = 1 UNIT
The following examples contain more than one unit:
- Alcopops (bottle) = up to 3 UNITS
- Strong cider/lager (440ml can - alcohol content 9%) = 4 UNITS
- Vodka (half bottle, 350ml) = 13 UNITS
A lot of alcohol containers like bottles or cans will tell you on them how many units are in there, and it will probably be more than you think!
It takes about an hour for the adult body to get rid of one unit of alcohol. This may be slower in young people.
Healthy or ‘low risk’ limits for adults are 4 units a day for men and 3 units a day for women.
There are no recommended 'low risk' levels of alcohol use for young people because you haven’t finished growing yet and this means you are more sensitive to the effects. If you do have a drink, knowing about units means you will have more control over how much you have, but this doesn’t make drinking safe.
Talk to Frank is a free confidential drugs information and advice line.
Tel: 0800776600
E-mail: frank@talktofrank.com
Web: www.talktofrank.com
NHS Direct can provide help and advice on any aspect of drug and alcohol use.
Tel: 0845 46 47
Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Know the Score – Rotherham Young Peoples drug and alcohol project.
Tel: 01709 836047
Still thinking of drinking? Don’t forget to look at the other bits of the site to find out more about how alcohol can affect your life so you can decide properly if it’s worth risking that drink!
