A new CAP highlighting the risks of underage drinking to children and young people has launched in The Braes in Falkirk. The official launch took place on Saturday 23rd August.

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CAPs are partnerships which are set up within the local community to work together to highlight the risks of underage drinking and improve the health and wellbeing of local children and young people.

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The partners of The Braes CAP are: the Braes Community Sports Hub, Bailliefields Community Hub, Falkirk Council, Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Westquarter and Redding Cricket club, Falkirk Community Planning Partnership, and the local community.

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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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Working with local retailers, the CAP also aims to prevent underage sales and ‘proxy’ sales, where adults buy alcohol for under-18s.

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Martin Wylie, Community Sport Hub Officer for Falkirk Council is in support of the new Community Alcohol Partnership in The Braes:

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"Protecting young people from the dangers of underage drinking is a priority for us. The launch of the Community Alcohol Partnership in The Braes is an important step in ensuring that, through the power of sport and physical activity children and young people are aware of the risks, and that local communities are equipped to support them in making safer, healthier life choices. By working closely with schools, retailers, Police Scotland and other partners, we aim to create a healthier and safer environment for young people to thrive."

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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 also in later life. We also know that the work CAPs do in local communities can help reduce things like the supply of alcohol to children, alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and underage street drinking. That’s why it’s great to see local partners coming together in this new CAP to highlight the risks of underage drinking and reduce alcohol harm among our young people.”

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She continued: “We are looking forward to seeing the initiatives that the CAP is working on and to making an impact in the local community.”

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