Eugene McMenamin asked the Minister of Education Martin McGuinness to make extra funding available in our schools to educate our young children as to the danger of underage drinking. The Minister assured me that Alcohol education is already included in the statutory curriculum and that a document will be issued for consultation, which deals with the whole issue of LMS and the need to put in place a common formula. Anyone who is out there on the streets of our towns can see that there is a huge problem with alcohol abuse.
Children can fall victim to peer pressure and begin drinking.
Advertising by drinks companies can also influence young minds. It is therefore essential that we do everything in our power to face up to and deal with this issue which effects our young people and society as a whole.