Alcohol-free music events to beat booze

Jun 25 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal

A SERIES of alcohol-free music events have been staged in the North East to encourage youngsters not to misuse alcohol.

The pilot scheme was developed by Derwentside Local Children’s Board, Durham County Council’s Adult, Health and Wellbeing Service and NHS County Durham and NHS Darlington’s public health team, to help reduce young people’s alcohol misuse and binge-drinking culture.

The idea behind the pilot is to influence the physical, social and cultural environment in relation to young people and alcohol, by providing an opportunity to have a good time without drinking.

And earlier this month hotly-tipped North East band, The Little Comets, took to the stage at the Lamplight Arts Centre in Stanley, County Durham, for an audience of under-19s – with a series of other Young Bands Music Nights taking place until October 2009.

Jill Harland, a health improvement lead with NHS County Durham and NHS Darlington’s public health team, said: “Our aim of this pilot scheme is to raise awareness of the issues surrounding alcohol and show young people they don’t need to drink alcohol to have a good time.

“Alcohol can have a very negative impact on a youngster’s life. It can be detrimental to their health, school life and encourage them to engage in risky behaviour. Early alcohol consumption can also affect a young person’s relationship with people in later life.