The Berea Police Station has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that public spaces remain safe for all members of the community by taking a strong stance against non-compliant liquor traders who serve alcohol to underage children. This initiative comes in response to the public outcry that arose during the festive season holidays, where alcohol abuse among underage children was witnessed in several parts of the Berea district.
A Growing Concern of Underage Alcohol Consumption
According to Senior Superintendent (Snr. Supt.) Kabelo Halahala, the officer in command of the Berea Police Station, the issue of underage children consuming alcohol has become a major concern for local authorities. Snr. Supt. Halahala expressed his dismay over the increasing number of young people involved in alcohol abuse, particularly in public spaces, and stated that the police are taking immediate action to address this alarming trend.
He noted that the festive season holidays had seen a significant rise in incidents of underage drinking, leading to public outcry and concerns about the well-being of children in the community. This situation, Halahala explained, prompted the police to take a firm approach to curbing alcohol abuse among young people in the district.
Tackling Non-Compliant Liquor Traders
One of the key focuses of the police’s new efforts is clamping down on liquor traders who violate the law by selling alcohol to minors. Snr. Supt. Halahala stressed that liquor traders who continue to serve alcohol to underage children would face strict consequences. The police will be working closely with local authorities to identify and prosecute those who fail to comply with the regulations aimed at preventing underage drinking.
“We are going to act harshly on liquor traders who are found selling alcohol to underage children. This practice is not only illegal but harmful to the future of our young people,” said Snr. Supt. Halahala. “We will not tolerate such actions, and anyone caught engaging in this illegal activity will be held accountable.”
A Call to Parents to Take Responsibility
In addition to targeting liquor traders, the police are also urging parents to take responsibility for their children’s actions. Snr. Supt. Halahala issued a stern warning to parents who send their children to taverns or other public spaces with the intention of purchasing alcohol for them. He emphasized that such actions contribute to the problem and make it more difficult to combat underage alcohol consumption.
“Parents must understand that they play a vital role in preventing underage drinking. Sending children to buy alcohol is not only irresponsible but also illegal,” said Halahala. “We urge parents to take a more active role in monitoring their children’s activities, especially during the festive seasons, to ensure that they are not exposed to harmful behaviors like alcohol abuse.”
Promoting Safer Public Spaces for Everyone
The overarching goal of the Berea Police Station’s new initiative is to ensure that public spaces in the district are safe and free from alcohol-related harm, particularly for young people. By cracking down on illegal alcohol sales to minors and holding parents accountable for their children’s actions, the police aim to create an environment where the community can thrive without the threat of alcohol abuse among the youth.
Snr. Supt. Halahala concluded by reassuring the public that the police would be taking a zero-tolerance approach to underage drinking in the district. “We are committed to making Berea a safer place for everyone, and we will continue to take decisive action against those who contribute to the problem of underage drinking,” he said.
With the Berea Police Station’s renewed commitment to tackling underage alcohol consumption and enforcing stricter regulations on liquor traders, the district is poised to see positive changes in the effort to curb alcohol abuse. By holding both traders and parents accountable, the police are working to create safer, healthier public spaces for the youth and the community at large. The message is clear: underage drinking will not be tolerated, and strict measures will be taken to protect the future of Lesotho’s young people.
