The councils of Social Welfare, through the Department of Prevention of Drug Addiction, and Citizen Security of the City of Totana will promote a campaign of public awareness to prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol to children under 18 on the occasion of the patron saint festivities Santiago and the summer campaign.
The directors of both departments, Javier Baños and Agustín Gonzalo Martínez, accompanied by the technician of the municipal program of drug addiction, have presented this initiative that will allow the distribution of signage and the notice to the owners of establishments and small or large commercial premises.
The awareness campaign, which was similarly made last December for the Santa Eulalia festivities, aims to warn about the risks of consuming alcoholic beverages and other drugs especially in young people, coinciding with these festive dates.
This will distribute materials prohibiting the sale of alcohol to children under 18 years of age, as a reminder for dispensing establishments, and information leaflets for the prevention of risks associated with the abuse of alcoholic beverages and synthetic drugs.
In addition, it recalls the content of the regulation regulating the sale, dispensing and supply of alcoholic beverages, as well as the consequences that the owners of these establishments have for the consideration of minor and serious infringements.
In the area of ​​health promotion, the damages caused by alcohol are especially serious during adolescence, a stage where it is in the process of physical and psychological development.
In addition, they pointed out that at these ages there is not enough maturity to correctly assess the risks of their consumption.
They also pointed out that, although they are aware of resource constraints with the local administration, "we can not renounce the commitment and need to raise awareness about the consequences that the sale of alcohol may have on adolescents."
Failure to comply with the municipal ordinance entails administrative penalties and fines ranging from 150 to 12,000 euros, depending on the cases.
They said it is estimated that approximately three in four students between the ages of 14 and 18 have tried alcohol and slightly more than half drink it on a regular basis.
When they drink, they do it especially during the weekend and, almost half of these, until getting drunk.
In addition, it is recalled that the Ministry of Health offers an online course addressed to parents for "Prevention of Alcohol consumption in their children," whose registration is free and can be done at: www.e-drogas.es/cursoargosfamilias .
