AN initiative in Gravesham to shut the lid on alcohol abuse and promote alcohol awareness is the first of its kind to be introduced in Kent.

The campaign to get people to understand alcohol and its consequences is being launched in the borough today (Friday).

Gravesham council, Kent County Council and North Kent Police together with health agencies have joined forces to spread the word about drinking.

In the first round of events the venture is to target youngsters aged from their teens to their early twenties.

The idea of the launch is to curb underage drinking and abuse by offering activites involving the police and outreach youth teams. In particular they will be heading to areas in the borough where young people congregate to drink.

A series of events is to be held over eight days to encourage a safe, sensible and social approach to alcohol.

Included in the list of events is the Gravesham community bus which will be in New Road today and next Friday (June 6).

A theatre production for schools will have a show focusing on alcohol use and its health and social consequences.

The Licensing Forum, for members of the licensed trade and Gravesham council, will have a meeting on Monday highlighting aspects of alcohol misuse and the sale of drink to youngsters.

Police and trading standards officers will be taking a series of enforcement measures, including test purchases and checks on premises selling alcohol, across the borough.

The aim is to make Gravesham a safer place and to demonstrate that it is.

Leader of the Gravesham council Mike Snelling said: “The laws are too relaxed by the evidence we have on streets throughout the country not just Gravesham.”