Alcohol Advisory Council
Press release
June 11 2004

Liquor outlets supplying minors disappointing

It may be harder to get a drink in mid-Canterbury tonight.

A controlled purchase operation run in the district last year had a sequel this week with the Liquor Licensing Authority shutting down three on-licensed premises and suspending three general managers’ licences.

Two of the premises were in Methven, and the third in Mount Somers.

Alcohol Advisory Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Mike MacAvoy says the dangers of supplying alcohol to the under 18s may not be getting through in small rural areas. “This is a major set back as we thought the message was getting through to those selling alcohol.”

The CPO operation resulted in 10 premises being visited where seven outlets made sales without asking for any identification. The four other cases have been deferred.

“Seven out of 10 premises is a high rate of offending and very concerning.”

Dr MacAvoy says small rural towns have to step up and take notice of the law as these CPO operations can be run anywhere at anytime with the resulting financial penalties for those involved.

The Mt Somers Tavern licence was suspended for one day from 7am Friday June 11 to 7am on Saturday June 12. The general manager’s licence was suspended for 10 days from Friday 11 June.

Uncle Dominic’s Pizza and Kebabs had its licence suspended for two days from noon Thursday 10 June to noon Saturday 12 June. The general manager’s licence was also suspended for one month.

Fusion had its licence suspended for one day from 11am on Friday 11 June to 11am on Saturday 12 June 2002. The general manager’s licence was suspended for one month from Friday 11 June.

A controlled purchase operation is a planned programme using volunteer purchasers aged under 18 to attempt to purchase alcohol from licensed premises.

ALAC will shortly be publishing current best practice guidelines for communities who want to use enforcement and education strategies when trying to reduce alcohol-related harm for young people.

ENDS

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