Orkney residents encouraged to complete alcohol and underage drinking survey

The Orkney Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) is encouraging folk in the county to complete a short survey focused on alcohol and underage drinking. 

Partnerships – which are made up of Councils, the Police, schools, retailers, neighbourhood groups and health providers – exist in Orkney and other local authority areas to target underage drinking and anti-social behaviour. 

Chair of the Orkney CAP, Bob MacKenzie, said: “Our aim is to tackle alcohol-related harm to young people and improve the quality of life for residents. The local Partnership also works closely with Stromness Academy and Kirkwall Grammar School to take a proactive approach to alcohol education, to ensure that young people are equipped to make the right decisions about issues including drugs, anti-social and criminal behaviour. 

“The Partnership also works with local retailers to help them avoid making underage sales and reduce ‘proxy’ sales where adults buy alcohol for under-18s. 

“We are asking residents to complete a short survey – it should take a maximum of five minutes to complete - to help us better understand where public concerns are and to direct our work to resolve the issues.” 

Convener of the Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board, Mr Duncan Tullock, added: “Information gathering is so important to gauge where people see the greatest need and how they would like to see issues prioritised by the CAPs. 

“Please take a few minutes of your day to share your thoughts. If we are able to address and try and shift the culture of underage drinking and associated anti-social behaviour, then we go a long way to reducing alcohol harm in our communities.” 

Complete the Orkney CAP Residents Survey 2024 here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J8CQSVD