Youth groups team up on alcohol alternatives

ARGYLL and Bute Council’s Youth Services team got together with a group of young people from North Argyll Youth Forum to provide members of the public in Oban with an alcohol-free drinks tasting session.

The group provided members of the public with alcohol-free drinks which included beer, wine and cider, and carried out a survey to record people’s views on the taste, price and availability of them.

When asked if there were enough alcohol-free options in pubs, restaurants and shops, more than 80 per cent agreed there were not enough and more than 75 per cent of people agreed they would buy them if available, especially when driving.

The majority of those questioned said they thought alcohol-free drinks should be subsidised and many believed they should be promoted more. As a result, the group now plans to look into how other countries across the globe promote the drinks.

The council’s policy lead on education and lifelong learning, councillor Rory Colville, said: ‘This is a wonderful, proactive initiative which helps to highlight the other options which are available to people when they are on a night out. In today’s society there is more and more pressure on people to binge drink, especially our younger generation and only too often we hear about the negative effects of alcohol misuse. We want people to have the opportunity to be as healthy and active as possible and alcohol-free drinks give people a healthier alternative.

‘This team must be congratulated on their efforts and I look forward to hearing their progress.’