Event marks official start of new alcohol partnership

Shropshire Council and partners outlined their commitment to tackling underage drinking in Oswestry at the launch of a new initiative in the town. 

An event to mark the official start of Oswestry Community Alcohol Partnership (Os-CAP), at The Pedigree on Friday 20 May 2011, brought together everyone involved and provided an opportunity to invite more organisations and community groups to step forward.

The Os-CAP is being led by Shropshire Council’s trading standards service following a successful pilot in Ludlow and trials in other parts of the country.  The six-month scheme will see shops and pubs, a range of Shropshire Council services, West Mercia Police, local schools and colleges, voluntary organisations, Oswestry Town Council, other local councillors and the wider community join together in a bid to reduce the crime, anti-social behaviour and harm caused by underage drinking.

While the target area for the majority of the partnership work is the town of Oswestry, the surrounding areas of St Martins, Weston Rhyn, Gobowen, Whittington and Morda will also benefit from selected projects.

The initiative will aim to address the problem of underage drinking through education, enforcement and tackling public perceptions.  The scheme will build on existing work undertaken by partners, such as the test purchasing operations undertaken by the council’s trading standards service and the local police team.

As well as aiming to cut alcohol sales to those under 18 by working hand-in-hand with shops, pubs and their associations to share information and find the best ways to deal with alcohol-related issues, the Os-CAP will look to address the problem of ‘proxy purchasing’ where adults purchase alcohol with the intention of giving it to under 18s.

A focus will be on educating young people and their families about the dangers and legal implications of drinking alcohol.  Posters will be displayed at local schools and colleges and by partners to raise awareness and encourage people to get involved across the community.

Os-CAP will also link in with work being undertaken in relation to drug use, in particular gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), to deliver a joined-up approach to dealing with both alcohol- and drug-related issues.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Cabinet member for active and healthy lifestyles, said:

“Friday’s breakfast meeting launch marked a firm commitment to making a difference by working together to build on what is currently in place to tackle underage drinking.

“I would urge any organisations or community groups which are not already involved in the Os-CAP, and would like to be, to get in contact and join us in striving to bring about a change in attitudes and behaviour. Together we can address the problem and do something about the anti-social behaviour, crime and long term damage to health underage drinking causes, as well as preventing teenagers who have been drinking becoming victims themselves.”

Vince Hunt, Shropshire councillor for Oswestry, said:

“This is about targeting resources exactly where they are needed, working together with the community and those who sell alcohol, and educating young people about the dangers of underage drinking.

“This is a chance for everyone in the town and surrounding areas to step forward to show what we can achieve when we work in partnership.”

The Os-CAP will run from May to October 2011.  If successful, it is hoped that it will continue to operate beyond this date and that the initiative will be rolled out to other parts of Shropshire.

The CAP model was developed by the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group, which represents major retailers, and is backed by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.  It provides a partnership approach that sees retailers and pubs as part of the solution to, rather than part of the problem of, underage drinking.

If any organisation or community group would like to become a partner in Os-CAP, or anyone wants further information, please contact Sally Jones by emailing cap@shropshire.gov.uk or calling 01743 254156 or 01691 677386.

For further information on community alcohol partnerships click here.