Family claims Uber Eats couriers keep delivering alcohol to struggling loved one

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UberEats said they "regularly remind" couriers to not deliver drink to intoxicated people (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
UberEats said they "regularly remind" couriers to not deliver drink to intoxicated people (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

A family claimed delivery drivers are continuing to deliver alcohol to their “visibly drunk” loved one, who is an alcoholic.

They have claimed that Uber Eats delivery drivers continue to deliver alcoholic beverages “at all hours” and their relatives were able to use the app whenever they wanted more. The family, who aren’t named for the protection of their loved one, said Uber Eats is failing to comply with its own policy to refuse delivery to anyone visibly intoxicated.

According to the family, delivery drivers have provided alcohol to their visibly drunk relatives on multiple occasions since March, an issue which Uber Eats said it is looking into and would take “very seriously”. They said their couriers are regularly reminded that alcohol should not be delivered if the recipient is drunk.

The relative admitted to their family they had been intoxicated when receiving the numerous deliveries to their home. One family member told ChronicleLive: “This is going back months with this delivery service. He has been getting deliveries since May at various times including daft o'clock in the morning.

"He was obviously intoxicated. And at no point did they refuse him. We do believe this has contributed to the state he is in. He couldn't have gone to a shop to buy alcohol drunk in the same way. We don't want others to go through this. It raises real concerns for us."

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The family member added that while their loved one was struggling with alcoholism, they feared for the impact that easily available alcohol could have on those beginning to struggle with addiction. Previously, research focussing on the use of alcohol home delivery services during the pandemic in New Zealand found purchasing alcohol online was closely associated with higher levels of drinking.

Uber Eats' formal policy - available online - states: "Only customers who are the legal age to buy alcohol (18 and above in the UK) and are not intoxicated can order or receive alcohol deliveries where available.

"Tips for couriers: You are responsible for following local requirements for alcohol delivery, which may include asking UberEats users to show their government-issued photo ID and refusing delivery if a customer is underage or appears intoxicated."

An UberEats spokesperson said: “Uber Eats takes this matter very seriously, and we are currently investigating these reports. Any alcohol delivery requires a courier to check the ID of the customer to confirm their identity and age, as well as to confirm that they are not intoxicated. We regularly remind couriers of this requirement, and any courier found to not be following the correct process risks losing access to the app."

If you're concerned about your or a loved one's drinking you can speak to someone at Drinkline. They are available on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)

Sam Volpe

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