Dear Editor,
While countries such as the United States of America and Canada have strict laws governing underage drinking and Guyana has similar laws, it is evident that the laws here are not being maintained. Our laws state that the legal age limit for alcohol consumption in Guyana is 18 years and children under the age of 16 are not allowed to be in the bar of any licensed premises or even purchase alcohol unless they are above the age of 16. Additionally, a child should never be asked to go to any licensed premises to buy alcohol.
Upon entering a bar or club overseas, regardless of how old a person appears to be, he/she must submit an identification card (ID) to the bouncer to see his/her correct age, if a person is underage or does not have their ID card they are not allowed entry into the establishment.
On the other hand, in Guyana once a person pays the entrance fee into a bar or club he/she is admitted without being asked to submit an ID card and sold alcohol regardless of how old he/she is.
One such place guilty of this is a leading bar where on a regular Friday or Saturday night dozens of youths who appear to be no more than 18 years old can be seen with drinks in their hands gyrating. Liquor shops are no less guilty of selling alcohol to minors as well. It appears as if proprietors are more concerned about making a profit than anything else.
While parents should be held accountable, I do think we as a nation should also be held accountable for ignoring this issue. I strongly believe that the legal age limit for alcohol consumption should be increased from 18 to 21 years and this should be strictly enforced.
I do hope this is something the new administration will review and clamp down on.
Yours faithfully,
S Daniels
