Almost three-quarters of under-16s reduced their alcohol intake after police caught them drinking in the street and took them and their parents to the station for a "talking-to".
Almost three-quarters of under-16s reduced their alcohol intake after police caught them drinking in the street and took them and their parents to the station for a "talking-to".
The same proportion of those caught drinking also said that they have since discussed alcohol with their parents where before they had not, a step considered important in finding an early solution to teenage drinking.
Alcohol Focus Scotland said yesterday the study in West Lothian went some way towards addressing awareness of alcohol abuse in young people whose parents may have been unaware of the extent of their child's intake.
The scheme was hailed a success as the Scottish Government strives to improve the country's drinking culture, particularly among the young.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said last night he hoped it would be adopted in other areas in Scotland as Holyrood attempts to curb binge drinking habits, with plans including a controversial ban on the sale in shops of alcohol to under-21s.
The Lothian and Borders Police survey revealed the impact of Operation Floorsweep, which targeted under-age drinking as well as associated antisocial behaviour.
Community police officers in West Lothian stopped drunk under-16s, took them back to a police station and called in their parents.
A health worker was also called to provide additional impetus in the process, which values awareness as a key prevention tool.
The researchers questioned 100 youngsters aged 12 to 16 years old between six months to a year after the initial contact with police.
Some 88% said they had drunk alcohol by the time they were 14, while 53% had done so by the age of 13. More than half (56%) said that alcohol had made them sick, while 13% said they had been unconscious, and 16% that they had fallen asleep outside.
Buckfast tonic wine was the most popular alcohol, drunk by 37%, while 31% drank alcopops and spirits respectively.
The survey was carried out to assess the effectiveness of Operation Floorsweep after it became clear that young people who had been through the experience were not being found drinking in the street again.
A total of 62% said they had drunk alcohol since police caught them, but 38% said they had not.
Almost three-quarters, 74%, said they were drinking less. Since being caught, 74% said they had talked about it with parents.
Chief Inspector Jim Baird, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "The operation set out to achieve a behavioural change in the children rather than a quick, short-term fix.
"It also aimed to make parents take responsibility for their child's behaviour and to hold those irresponsible enough to supply alcohol to underage children accountable for their actions and to be punished accordingly. The first stage is not a warning as such, it is a detailed discussion."
Mr MacAskill said last night: "There's no doubt that Scotland has a problem with alcohol misuse and the violence and antisocial behaviour it fuels.
"It's great to see the results that can be achieved by targeted local initiatives such as Operation Floorsweep. I hope this is a project that other areas in Scotland can learn from."
Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "This police-led scheme is clearly having some positive results, with young people reducing how much and how often they are drinking, and being more open about alcohol issues with their parents.
"To tackle under-age drinking we need improved awareness of the health and safety risks of drinking too much, stricter enforcement of the licensing laws, and restrictions on alcohol being sold at pocket-money prices."
