Balclutha police are warning teenagers under 18 they could
face an instant $200 fine if found in a public place with
alcohol, and those who supply them could be summonsed to
appear in court.
Police alcohol harm reduction officer Constable Tom Taylor,
of Balclutha, said there had been problems in the past with
underage drinkers in public places over the holidays.
Two ways underage drinkers could gain access to alcohol was
through older friends buying it for them or raiding their
relatives' liquor cabinets.
It was also quite common for parents to purchase alcohol for
their children and drop them off at the beach, which was an
offence, Const Taylor said.
"I don't want to sound like a grinch, but I don't want to
have to deal with people who have got injured or in trouble
through being inebriated," he said.
Property damage and violence often went hand-in-hand with
alcohol consumption, particularly by those under 18, he said.
"Consider this a warning from police. If those under 18 are
caught with alcohol in a public place, they could be liable
for a $200 fine, and those supplying them could be summonsed
to court for supplying alcohol to minors."
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