A new project is set to launch in Millom next week to highlight the risks of underage drinking.
Millom Community Alcohol Partnership aims to improve the health and wellbeing of local young people.
The partnerships are made up of local authorities, police, schools, retailers, neighbourhood groups and health providers.
They work together to prevent alcohol-related harm to young people and improve the quality of life for residents. There are currently 212 schemes across England, Scotland and Wales.
In Millom, partners include Cumbria Alcohol and Drugs Advisory Service (CADAS), Cumbria County Council, Copeland Borough Council, Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team and youth project Shackles Off.
The partnership will work with youth services and local organisations to provide alcohol-free activities for young people.
It will also work with local schools to take a proactive approach to alcohol education and ensure that young people are equipped to make the right decisions about issues including alcohol and drugs and anti-social and criminal behaviour.
It will also work with local retailers to help them avoid making underage sales and reduce ‘proxy’ sales where adults buy alcohol for under-18s.
It will be chaired by Leigh Williams, chief executive of CADAS.
She said: “I’m delighted to be chairing the Millom CAP as CADAS have been involved in the community in Millom delivering drug and alcohol education and dependency support for a couple of years now.
“Residents need the extra support a CAP can bring and some of our initial plans will include prioritising education and support for young people and their parents as well as looking at youth activities.
“The CAP will also be a useful source of support for local retailers/licensees.”
David Macdonald, of Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “There is a continuing concern about the levels of underage drinking and alcohol availability to young people in Millom among local residents, councillors and retailers.
“The police will work with partner agencies in this CAP to deal robustly with the issues at hand and keep our young people safe from harm.”
