A new CAP has been launched in Dalmellington and Bellsbank to address the issue of underage drinking in the local community.  The partnership held its official launch on 4^th December at the Co-op in Dalmellington.

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CAPs are community-led partnerships which bring together local police, councils, schools, retailers, and community groups. Their primary goal is to reduce alcohol harm in children and young people, improve their health and well-being, and enhance the wider community. Partners in the CAP are Coalfields Regeneration Trust, East Ayrshire Council and Police Scotland.

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The CAP will work to educate young people about underage drinking and help them to make better decisions about issues such as alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour.  

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It will do this in three ways:

• By working with schools and youth groups, the partnership will educate young people about the dangers of underage drinking and equip them to make responsible choices regarding alcohol, drugs, and anti-social behaviour.

• By working closely with local retailers to enforce regulations and prevent the illegal sale of alcohol to minors. This includes stopping illegal “proxy sales” where adults purchase alcohol for individuals under 18, and ensuring all retailers comply with the Challenge 25 policy

• By providing positive and engaging activities for young people, offering them safe, supervised environments to socialise. These activities are a crucial part of the CAP strategy, providing an excellent opportunity to deliver alcohol education in an informal setting.

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The impact of CAPs has been measured and proven. Nationwide, partnerships have led to reductions in regular drinking among 13-16-year-olds and in alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.  

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Sean Laird, Game On Dev. Manager with Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) said: “Former mining communities are still facing huge inequalities from a Health and well-being perspective. The CAP will only complement and support the work CRT Game On Football 5ives has had over the last 4 years in Dalmellington. Through the CAP we will look to explore additional opportunities to support and engage more young people and provide a positive destination utilising sport & physical activity as a vehicle for change.”

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Sergeant Adam McKim,  Locality Policing for Cumnock and CAP coordinator said: “CAP will be undertaking surveys of residents and pupils to understand local views, and then address these through targeted works, including regular visits to our licensed premises and the introduction of integrity testing around the sale of alcohol, tobacco, and vape products. This approach is seeking to build upon action already being undertaken by partners in relation to Licensed premises selling vapes and tobacco to young persons

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Councillor Jim McMahon, East Ayrshire Council Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities commented: “I welcome the new Community Alcohol Partnership for Dalmellington and Bellsbank. It is essential that our young people understand the harm that alcohol can cause, not just in terms of personal safety, but also the long-term effects on their health. Scotland continues to have the highest rate of alcohol-specific deaths in the UK. When you are young it is hard to imagine being old, or how alcohol can affect your health as you get older, but it does and it is really important we get that message across to our young people.”

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Kate Winstanley, Director of CAP said: “We know from extensive research that underage drinking can lead to lots of challenges for young people in their education, relationships, health and increased risk of alcohol-related harm in later life.  CAP has proved to be a really successful model for tackling underage drinking and just as importantly promoting positive health and wellbeing in children and young people.

“Our evidence shows that CAPs are extremely effective in reducing the supply of alcohol to children, underage alcohol consumption and alcohol-related anti-social behavior.

“That’s why it’s great to see local partners coming together in Dalmellington and Bellsbank to highlight the risks of underage drinking and reduce alcohol harm among local children and young people.”  

She continued: “We are looking forward to seeing the initiatives that the CAP is working on and to making a positive difference to the local community.”

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