The National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA) has raised alarm over reports that minors were able to buy and drink alcohol at some Crop Over events without being asked for identification, warning that weak checks put young people at risk.

NCSA counsellor Mosiah Hoyte told Barbados TODAY the issue had come to the agency’s attention during the peak festival period, as young people were observed attending events where alcohol was widely available.

“There is definitely a concern with young persons using alcohol during Crop Over for sure,” Hoyte said. “We don’t see policies in place where we check the IDs, and we find situations where underage drinking is taking place.”