At Gatecrash Security, our ultimate goal is to provide a SAFE area for teenagers to enjoy themselves, without threats from gatecrashers and troublemakers.
As such, our supervisors complete detailed reports at the conclusion of each function, including their observations about the type, and amount, of liquor brought to the function by the guests.
Over the past few years, the "average" teenage party was about 80% RTD’s (now known as alcopops - but I HATE that expression), and about 20% beer. Spirit bottles were extremely rare at this time.
In general terms, most girls brought a six-pack of Vodka drinks, and boys tended to bring a six or ten pack of Rum or Bourbon pre-mixed cans.
Although these drinks tend to have a high alcohol content, it was very easy to maintain control as we could see exactly what they were consuming, and could judge when the teens were becoming too intoxicated. Furthermore, the far majority of these drinks are packaged in cans - not bottles, which cuts down on potential weapons if a function "goes bad".
Now that this tax has taken hold - we have seen a vast increase in the spirit bottles - Approx 60% bottles, 20% "Alcopops", and 20% beer.
Girls now tend to bring a bottle of vodka (which is the same price as a six-pack of pre-mixes), and the boys tend to bring rum or bourbon bottles. Furthermore, we have seen a sharp increase in the amount of ecstasy tablets at these parties - which can also be obtained for around the same price.
When you leave these teenagers to mix their own drinks from spirit bottles, they are making EXTREMELY strong mixes - or in many cases - drinking the liquor straight!
This leads to intoxication well beyond the levels we saw in the past, and at a much quicker rate!
From a security point of view, this tax has made our job far more difficult, and much more dangerous. It is EXTREMELY foolhardy to expect that this new tax will cut down on teenage binge drinking - when in reality it.
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