MP calls for breathalysers for under 16s

Christian Democrat MP Mirjam Sterk has launched a campaign to introduce breathalyser tests for children under the age of 16 if police suspect them of drinking too much.


Sterk says urgent action is needed to cut alcohol consumption by young teenagers. If breathalyser tests on children are positive, these should be reported to social workers at the new family centres that the cabinet plans to set up. Here parents can be helped to deal with their offspring, says the MP.
Police checks at Rotterdam railway station on Friday night resulted in 37 teenagers aged 14 to 16 being given a stiff talking-to for drinking. The teenagers were on their way to a night out on the town. One 16-year-old girl was so drunk her parents were called to take her home.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation