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~ To correct discrepancy in laws ~
PHILIPSBURG--The Lions Club, on Tuesday, called for an increase in the legal drinking age from 16 to 18, to correct a discrepancy in the laws and to curb drinking amongst youngsters.
The call was made during a meeting of Parliament's Permanent Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs of Parliament and was supported by all Members of Parliament (MPs) present.
Melinda Hoeve of the Lions' Youth, Health, and Education (YHE) committee spoke of a discrepancy in the Penal Code and in the Licence Ordinance ("Vergunningslandsverordening"), as it relates to the sale of and serving of alcoholic beverages to minors.
While article 475 of the Penal Code prohibits the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages to minors under age 18 with a maximum prison sentence of six months or a NAf. 7,500 fine; the Licence Ordinance prohibits establishments from selling or serving alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 16, unless accompanied by their parents or guardian. Violating the ordinance can result in a fine of up to NAf. 5,000 or a prison sentence of up to four months. Persons who repeat the offense in a two-year time span will serve a prison sentence of maximum six months.
The ordinance regulates licences for bars and restaurants; delis and fast food operations; liquor licences for wholesale and retail; hotels, guesthouses, ice cream parlours and vending machines.
Hoeve told MPs that there is need to increase the legal drinking age from 16 to 18 in the Licence Ordinance. She said as of January 1, 2014, the legal drinking age in the Netherlands became 18.
The Lions Club presentation also alluded to statistics which shows that between January and October, 2014, there were 50 accidents credited to persons driving under the influence of alcohol. Some 14 per cent of the cases were prosecuted in a court of law and nearly 25 per cent of the accidents were caused by youngsters. According to the Lions Club said between seven to 10 teens say its "easy" to get alcohol.
Representing the Lions at the meeting were Club President and member of the Lions' YHE Committee Sunil Khatnani; Vice President and YHE member Eldert Louisa; Secretary and YHE member Christ'l Larmonie; YHE Chairperson Chantal Schaminee; and YHE members Richard Boyd and Oralie Boirard.
In a power point presentation on the subject, Schaminee outlined the Lions' public awareness campaign on underage drinking. The campaign is intended to create awareness amongst youths, the public and parents; get government to raise the legal drinking age and enforce the law when businesses sell to minors and to get key stakeholders to pledge their commitment and support.
The club identified stakeholders in this process as being the community, youths and their parents, schools/educators, St. Maarten Medical Center and other healthcare professionals, the police force, Government's Collective Prevention Services/Youth Health Care, social services, Court of Guardianship, liquor distributors, shops that sell alcohol and nightclubs.
The awareness campaign will continue with from April to June, with an essay contest, educational workbooks for primary schools, thoughts of the month, awareness signs at shops, a day at the movies and lobbying efforts to change the law.
While all MPs present supported the amendment of the laws to increase the legal drinking age, several expressed concern about issues such as enforcement and addressing the root of the problem.
Like her fellow MPs, Committee Chairperson Silveria Jacobs expressed concern about the problem and said she felt it necessary to bring this issue to the floor for discussion before Carnival, when alcohol consumption is usually "rampant." She thanked the Lions Club for their presentation and assured that the committee will follow up on the matter.
