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Alcohol

The law:

• If you're under 16 you can enter a pub or bar as long as you are supervised by an adult. You cannot drink alcohol.
• If you're between 16-17 you can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal as long as the alcohol has been bought by and you are accompanied by someone over 18.
• You cannot buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, shop or supermarket until you are 18.
• It is also illegal to get someone to buy it for you.
• Caught drinking in public underage? A police officer or PCSO can confiscate and dispose of your alcohol. They also have the right to take you home!

The side effects:

• Loss of control
• Aggression
• Makes you vulnerable to being a victim of crime
• More likely to commit a crime
• Liver damage
• Brain damage
• Alcohol poisoning – sounds nasty!
• Stomach cancer
• Heart disease

What is a unit of alcohol?

• A pint of ordinary strength lager - 2 units
• A pint of strong lager - 3 units
• A pint of ordinary strength cider - 2 units
• A pint of strong cider - 3 units
• A 175ml glass of red or white wine at 13 percent strength - 2.3 units
• A pub measure of spirits - 1 unit
• An alcopop - around 1.5 units

But what are the safe limits? The guidelines are:

• Men should not regularly drink more than 3 - 4 units of alcohol per day
• Women should not regularly drink more than 2 - 3 units of alcohol per day

Do you know someone who could be addicted to alcohol?

Most people enjoy having an alcoholic drink and the majority of people drink in moderation, however, it can become a problem when heavy drinking and drunkenness become frequent and out of control.

If you think someone you know could be addicted to drinking alcohol and it's affecting you or you are concerned about this person, there is plenty of help and support for both of you.

Help and support