Drugs strategy could use youths to buy alcohol

UNDERAGE youths could be sent into pubs, off-licences and shops to see if they can purchase alcohol, under draft proposals for a new drugs strategy.

The plan comes as an EU survey shows Ireland remains binge-drinking champion, with 44% of people saying they had five or more drinks at least once a week.

The proposal is drawn from a practice, endorsed by the High Court, in which a State agency uses juveniles to purchase cigarettes from shops and licensed premises.