Alcohol campaigners back photo mum

The Daily Mail ~ 20/10/05

Campaigners against under-age drinking have backed a mother who tried to curb her teenage daughter's binge drinking by handing out her picture to local pubs and off-licences in a bid to stop her being served.

Julie Clifton, a 43-year-old single mother from Worle in Somerset, became so concerned about her 16-year-old daughter's drinking that she visited more than 30 premises in the town and the neighbouring resort of Weston-super-Mare.

She told the owners her daughter Alex was underage and should not be served alcohol. She provided each shop with a photo of her in case she should come in to try to buy a drink.

Ms Clifton said her actions had proved a great success and have had a big impact in reducing Alex's drinking habits.

She said her daughter started binge drinking aged just 15 with friends in local parks before going off to nightclubs in Weston-super-Mare. But she decided to take action after Alex told her she planned to get "smashed" as part of her 16th birthday celebrations.

She said: "I went to about 30 pubs and clubs in Weston-super-Mare and off-licences in Worle High Street and left a photo of my daughter with the manager of each one. I thought it would be more of a deterrent than just telling her not to drink alcohol."

Despite initially feeling embarrassed about the photo campaign, Btec college student Alex said her mother's actions had brought about positive results.

She said: "I was a bit annoyed that my mum spoiled my birthday but also a bit proud of her because she must care about me to do this.

Campaigners against under-age drinking welcomed Ms Clifton's actions.

Helen Symons, spokeswoman for Alcohol Concern, said: "We are very worried about the availability of alcohol to under-age drinkers. The law about serving under-age drinkers is clear and it's time the Government started enforcing it and licensees started sticking to it."