2

Mews!

SECTION C

‘women - home - entertainment - real estate

Tel. 980-0511

- Editor: MARILYN JOHNSON: ‘August 12, 1979

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Problem drin

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ib AAS
Po Tuer eilicg phy Oo
Yr to ama Ht thy HEU

aeemeneatn’

mennnes,

BARS LIKE THESE bring out the monkey in one, as this group of youngsters demonstrates. Nothing beats a visit to
the playground with some friends on a sunny day. (Terry Peters photo)

-$0,

rs started earl

Says Nielsen

Most young B.C.
drinkers were con-
suming alcohol long
before they were
legally allowed to do
Consumer and
Corporate Affairs

- Minister James Nielsen

said recently.

‘Nielsen, who is respon-
sible for liquor control,
licensing and distribution,
said that recent studies show
that drinkers in their late
teens and early twenties had
their first taste of alcohol
when they were only 14. The
majority of drinkers started
imbibing at age 16.

Problem drinkers —
whom Nielsen described as
people who consume
alcohol to excess at least 10
per cent of the time —
started drinking at an even
earlier age, 13.

Y

Nielsen pointed out that
these 13, 14 and 16-year-olds
are .not being served in

liquor stores or in licensed’ -

premises. He said they are
obtaining alcohol from their
homes or from older friends
and acquaintances.

Few people questioned

said they supply liquor to

their children for parties.
However, one in three of the

problem drinkers admit they
supply alcohol to their
underage children.

And minors who are close

‘enough to the legal drinking

age to pass as adults are

causing problems in licensed

establishments, said Nielsen.
Last year, charges against
minors who purchased
liquor or consumed it in
licensed premises were up 52
per cent, to an all-time high
of 4,008.

CONTINUED ON PAGE C2