St. John’s Antigua: Law enforcement agencies are being urged to monitor the promotion of alcohol in inappropriate contexts – and further conduct a thorough review of the self-regulation of its own marketing industry.
Substance Abuse Prevention Officer, Norma Jeffery-Dorsette, made the call, days after a promoter was forced to remove sections of an advertisement which boasts the serving of free tequila shots on entry to a Teen Splash after-party.
Government chiefs however remain troubled, despite the promoters’ pledge to change their poster, remove the names of the schools from the advertisement and not to sell liquor at the event.
“The poster still says that there will be plenty drinks and sexy girls,” Jeffery-Dorsette said.
Queries were also made about the methods of determining the legal age for entry into such a fete.
“They said that they will not be admitting anyone less than 15 years, but how will they know people’s age when IDs are not mandatory in Antigua & Barbuda? Also, in case you may not know, alcohol is what makes money in fetes.
“I am gravely concerned that the fete is targeting those persons who attended Teen Splash, as the ad says that if you have a ticket from the show, entrance will be less. And we all know that the greatest majority of persons who attend Teen Splash are schoolchildren,” the officer said.
Because of this, the Ministry is encouraging the Carnival Development Committee (CDC) to take a public position on the matter.
Jeffery–Dorsette reminded adults of their responsibility to deliver credible and consistent messaging about the dangers of alcohol.
“I would like to encourage people who sell alcohol to abide by the conditions of the Liquor License Act, not sell to minors and to not sell to persons who are already intoxicated,” she said adding that plans are in the pipeline jointly with the Youth Department in the Ministry of Education to hold a meeting with police to encourage increased vigilance.
Jeffery-Dorsette is also pleading to parents to be responsible and be aware of the types of activities they are giving their youngsters permission to attend.
She urged parents to impose curfews, get to know their children’s friends and the people with whom they are associated.
She echoed the sentiments of Parliamentary Secretary Senator Malaka Parker where she made a case for parents not to introduce their children to alcohol in the home.
She reminded young people that their behaviour can follow them into the future.
