CDA wants breathalyser for kids 02/07/2007 00:00

2 July 2007

AMSTERDAM – Young people under the age of 16 who are suspected of having drunk alcohol should be subjected to a breathalyser test. The Telegraaf reports on Monday that the Christian democrat CDA in Parliament wants to introduce this idea.

The idea is part of an action plan aimed at reducing nuisance from youth hanging about on the streets. It is currently not permitted to subject children of this age to breathalyser tests.

CDA MP Mirjam Sterk says that alcohol use among this age group is taking on horrifying proportions. Sterk says that at least 7 percent of children in the last two years of primary school drink alcohol on a weekly basis.

Those children are between the ages of 10 and 12. "And even worse, the average age of children admitted to hospital with alcohol poisoning is 13.5 years," the MP says.

If a breathalyser test shows that a child has been drinking alcohol, the police should report this to the Centre for Youth and Family, which will provide the family with either voluntary or compulsory support in child-rearing..

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Dutch news