Young People, Alcohol and the Law

Alcohol is seen by many as a more socially acceptable drug, but that’s not to say it’s any less powerful than other drugs or less harmful. On average each year there are 20-30,000 alcohol related deaths.

What the law says

Under 5? It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under 5 except under medical supervision in an emergency.

Under 14? They cannot go into the bar of a pub unless it has a 'children's certificate'. They can only go into parts of licensed premises where alcohol is either sold but not drunk (eg. a sales point for consumption away from the pub), or drunk but not sold (eg. a garden or family room).

14 or 15? They can go anywhere in a pub but not drink alcohol.

16 or 17? They can buy or be bought beer or cider to drink with a meal but not in a bar.

Under 18? Except for 16 or 17 year olds having a meal in a pub, it's against the law for anyone under 18 to buy or be sold alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket or other outlet, or for anyone to buy alcohol in a pub for someone under 18.

Police officers are allowed to confiscate alcohol from anyone under 18 drinking it in a public place.

Lots of people find themselves in trouble because of their behaviour when drunk. This might be seen as anti social or even violent behaviour and might be in a public place, or could be a domestic argument at home. Sometimes this leads to police involvement and prosecution.

Excessive alcohol use can lead to a number of different offences, including assault, criminal damage and drink driving.

Where criminal offences (such as criminal damage or violence) take place, being drunk is no excuse in a court of law. They can still receive a criminal record.

Questions relating to the ‘Call it a Night’ dvd

• When the young people put the cone in the street for a laugh and the car hits it, who is at fault, the young people or the car driver?
• Was the shopkeeper breaking the law when they sold alcohol to the older boys who gave it to the younger group members?
• Is it against the law for the older group of friends to drink in the park? Is it against the law for younger ones?
• If a young person takes alcohol from someone’s home without them knowing, (as the friends did in Pete’s mum and dad’s house) have they broken the law?
• Do you think young people would have been prosecuted or been in trouble if they had stayed with Nathan until the emergency services arrive?