North Wales targeting teenage drunks

Drunk teenagers are to be breathalysed if they are caught out on the streets by Police. This move is disigned to bring to check the large number of youngsters hanging around drinking in the parks and the streets.

Colwyn Bay is to be the first area to be trialed and any youngsters who fail the breath tests will be taken home.

Youth leaders have welcomed the move.

Conwy and Denbighshire have been identified as among the worst figures for alcohol abuse, with 100 more per 100,000 persons seeking help than the rest of Wales average.

In one area five under 12's had been referred for specialist help.

However not everyone is happy with the plan. The childrens Commisioner Keith Towler feels that to go down the road of breathalysing young children is a sad indictment on todays society.

He said “We need to engage with children in the community, not put them in the justice system.”

Youth leaders are hoping that this would prove to be a positive aid to deterring underage drinkers. One of them, Jeff Evans, said he is fully in favour and support of the plans.

March 25th 2008

For the full story follow the link below:
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/03/25/breath-tests-target-north-wales-teen-yob-boozers-55578-20668357/