We're not binge-drinking louts, writes Croydon teen
As a resident of Croydon and a member of a family who has been selling alcohol responsibly for more than 60 years, I just had to respond to your story about
the London Borough of Croydon looking at a ban on sales of alcohol to under-21s (OLN, July 25).
I couldn't believe what I was reading . I'm a 19-year-old student who helps out
in
the family corner shop
at weekends. Would I suddenly be stopped from doing this, or could I continue serving customers without
being allowed to buy alcohol myself? Both options seem absurd and make me feel like I'm being treated like a child.
The council says the ban will be voluntary, but what does that mean? Given the choice,
my friends and I wouldn't voluntarily agree to not
buy booze from off-licences.
Not because we're
binge-drinking louts who like getting into fights , but because we are legally allowed to drink in bars and restaurants, and enjoy relaxed, sociable drinking .
I'm not saying the council shouldn't try to stop under-age kids from
obtaining alcohol and causing trouble when they're drunk, but targeting adults who are over
18 isn't the way to do it.
Jon, by email
