The Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP) issues an urgent concern over the growing exposure of children to alcohol and drugs, bars and adult entertainment venues. This crisis signals systemic failures of our education and family structures and degradation of our social and cultural norms.
As recently as last weekend, minors — children around 13 and 14 years old — were allowed into an event advertised as 18+ years old. Despite admission wristband checks and the presence of police officers, no ID verification was enforced. The real priority should be safeguarding children from harm, not simply ensuring that people have paid to access a space.
Under the Protection of Children Act, Cap. 46:06, “a person who sells, gives or causes intoxicating liquor to come into the possession of a child commits an offence” (Section 50(1)(e)). Our society continues to allow children in environments where they are not protected, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, grooming, trafficking, manipulation, and lasting psychological harm.
The ALP is calling for immediate national action:
- mandatory ID checks at all bars, shows and adult-only venues
- Human Services intervention where necessary to ensure adequate family supervision or installment of guardianship for children; counseling support for at-risk youths and follow-up for minors found in adult spaces
- penalties and licensing reviews for venues that admit children
- visible enforcement of the Protection of Children Act, with public reporting on compliance
The government has recently announced plans for electronic IDs. We urge that their implementation prioritize protecting children from unsafe locations and illegal services.
The ALP urges the public to reflect on their responsibility. Parents and guardians must actively know their children’s whereabouts, the company they keep, and the spaces they enter. Children should only attend age-appropriate events—never unsafe venues that could put their safety and future at risk.
The ALP’s Blueprint for Prosperity reimagines a Guyana where every child has the right to safety, structure and dignity and postulates that national stability depends on protecting children from predatory environments and systemic failures. Let us all recognize our shared duty to fiercely protect and prioritize the safety of children.
