Alcohol

Class:
Use is legal. Under 18 year olds are not permitted to buy alcohol in a pub or off-licence.

Other Names:
Booze, drink, 'on the hoy' and alcopops.

Effects:
Relaxation and lack of inhibition perhaps increased sociability. Speech may become slurred and emotional reactions can become exaggerated - ranging from happy to aggressive. Alcohol has an effect within 5 or 10 minutes.

What to look for:
Beers, wines, spirits and alcopops.

Other info:
Young people are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol - consumption is 40-50% above average in late teenagers.

Fact:
Some alcopops are 7-8% proof (the same strength as strong beers and lagers).

Law:

• It is not illegal for anyone over 5 years of age to drink alcohol.
• It is illegal for licensees to sell alcohol to under 18's.
• 16 year olds can drink alcohol (but not spirits) in a pub if they are having a meal.
• The police have the power to confiscate alcohol from anyone under the age of 18 who drinks in public.
• Under the Road Traffic Act it is illegal to drive with more than 80mg of alcohol in every 100ml of blood. It is also an offence to drive under the influence of drugs (including alcohol).
• Some town and city centres have introduced bye-laws that make it an offence to drink alcohol on the streets, one of these bye-laws has been introduced in South Tyneside.