Instances of underage drinking are on the rise, with at least four ending up in hospital in the last 24 hours due to drinking, despite a tightening of the framework for selling alcohol to under-18s and penalties for both entertainment venue managers and parents.

In particular, two serious incidents of acute underage drinking were recorded in Ioannina in the midnight hours of New Year’s Eve, mobilizing the authorities.

In one case, a 14-year-old boy was transferred by his father in a semi-comatose state to the University Hospital of Ioannina, and due to the severity of his condition, he was intubated and transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Patras, according to epiruspost.gr. Police investigation revealed that the minor consumed alcohol and energy drinks in the presence of his father, who was arrested for the offence of “exposure”.

In the second incident, a juvenile consumed alcohol at an entertainment establishment, requiring transport to the hospital. The owner of the establishment was arrested. The arrested persons will be taken to the Prosecutor’s Office of the Ioannina Prosecutor’s Office.

At the same time, a 16-year-old boy was found in a semi-conscious state in a club on Vouliagmeni Avenue at dawn on New Year’s Day. The incident occurred at 5 in the morning. The 16-year-old, after drinking alcohol, was taken to the Hippocrates Hospital, where he was given first aid. Shortly afterward, police officers arrested the 38-year-old temporary manager of the club and formed a case against the representative of the company that manages the shop and the club’s health manager, who was wanted under the auto-custody procedure.

Finally, the police officers of the Oichalia Police Department arrested a 39-year-old owner of an entertainment center for violating measures for the protection of minors in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

According to the ELAS, in a local community of the municipality of Oichalia, the 39-year-old had allowed the sale and consumption of alcohol to a minor, who felt unwell and was taken to the Kalamata General Hospital. In addition, the 37-year-old mother of the minor was arrested for exposure.

A preliminary investigation of the case is being carried out by the Police Department of Oichalia, while the case file formed against the arrested persons will be submitted to the relevant authorities.

It is recalled that according to the legislation, the sale of alcohol to those who have not reached the eighteenth year of age is prohibited.