Divided over drink for the children

PICTURES of alcohol-fuelled violence have been splashed across the national newspapers this week after an all-you-can-drink booze deal at Oldham club Tokyo Project.

Critics said the pictures were a stark reminder of the consequences of binge drinking, days after England’s chief medical officer advised children under 15 should never be given alcohol.

Many parents argue that giving a child an occasional drink helps demystify alcohol and reduces the chance of bingeing later on.

Karen Doherty asked shoppers at Tommyfield Market for their views.


ANN and Ray Imam, from Royton, were divided, with Ray thinking that the continental attitude of introducing children to alcohol at home had its benefits.

The 60-year-old said: “I wouldn’t mind if there was parental control, but my fear is they seem to get out of control.

“Perhaps if we had the continental system instead where it is no big deal and they do not drink to the excess we do . . . but obviously I can see the danger of it.”

But 55-year-old Ann said: “That’s OK for 15 to 18-year-olds but what benefits would under 15s get?

“I do not think it is a good idea simply because their livers need to develop properly. My concern is the effect it has on them long term.

“It can be dangerous and children should be over 15 when they try alcohol.”

Bettie McKerracher (61), from Royton, agreed and said: “Absolutely not. For one thing, they are not old enough mentally to cope with the effects of alcohol, and I do not think they are equipped physically to deal with it either. It also causes other problems as well.”

Safer

She gave the example of children drinking on the streets, adding: “Where do they get the money to do it? Do they get it from their parents or do they get it from illegal means?

“For the amount they drink they must get it from somewhere. It’s bottles of vodka, it’s not like having a shandy.”

Victoria Shears (34), from Shaw Road, allows her 16-year-old daughter to drink at home and said: “I feel it’s safer, it allows me to keep an eye on her. My 12-year-old also has watered-down wine at Christmas.

“I think if you give them a taste of it when they are younger it stops them going out and drinking on the street corner.

“That’s how I was brought up. I do not drink that often — I like a nice bit of whisky in my coffee — I do not binge drink.”

Eugene Barnes (47), who lives in Oldham but is originally from South Africa, believes in parental responsibility.

He allowed his two sons to drink at home and said: “We have got a similar problem with our youngsters in South Africa.

“Parents, unfortunately, are failing to be parents. They do not want to be parents, they want to be friends, so they allow youngsters to drink.

“Personally we allowed our children to have alcohol, more towards the 12-year-old age. We wanted to make them used to the idea that there is alcohol and that they can use it responsibly.

“Ultimately, they are a lot more responsible. They are not louts, there is no binge drinking.”

Jason and Anita Cahill, from St Mary’s, both thought that children should not drink alcohol until the age of 18 — and did not let their 19-year-old daughter drink at home.

Jason (37) said the problem of underage drinking could be seen on the streets, adding: “Where we live it gets pretty bad. You do not see them drinking, but you know for a fact some of them are.”

Colin Houghton (57), from Oldham ,also agreed — although he drank shandy in the pub as a youngster.

“I do not agree with young ones drinking, it is way out of order. It will lead to problems,” he said.

“You get some of them going to the pub and they are all dressed up. You do not know if they are 18 or if some of them are 15 and 16.”

Phillip Marsh (16), from Limeside, prefers playing football and basketball, and going on Facebook to alcohol, although some of his friends drink.

He said: “Young people should not have it at all. It’s disgusting and it kills your liver.”