Palma Council plans to ban under-age street drinking

Non-governmental organisations linked to dealing with and treating, drug and alcohol addiction have been called to today's meeting in the Flassaders Centre in Palma to discuss the proposed measure. The associations include “Projecte Home”, “Sapiencia”, “Projecte Jove”, the Balearic Association of Former Alcoholics and “Juguesca”.

Research shows that young people are consuming increasing amounts of alcohol and what is more, they are starting to do so at even younger ages. Experts agree that “the younger a person is when he or she starts to drink, the more physical and mental damage the alcohol can do.” If the proposal to ban under-age street drinking is well received by the associations invited to today's meeting, it will be up to the ruling left wing coalition council, headed by Mayor Aina Calvo, to draw up a draft law specifying exactly what cannot be done by under-18s in terms of alcohol consumption in public, and how to implement the imposition of the law. Details will need to cover what action should be taken by the police when confronted with incidents of under-age drinking, what penalties should be imposed and what - if any - measures can be taken to discourage drinking at all amongst youngsters.

The Mayor meanwhile was seeking consensus yesterday amongst her own government team on what approach should be taken to dealing with the issue of street drinking. The ruling party in Palma is made up of Socialists (PSOE), Majorcan Unionists (UM) and the left-wing “Bloc” coalition. All these groups have different ideas on tackling the “botellon” - drinking out on the street. Council sources said that residents and traders' associations will be meeting separately to adopt a common front on the issue.

Aina Calvo wants to arrive at today's meeting in the Flassaders Centre with a consensus of opinion amongst the government representatives prior to discussion with the invited associations.