Alcohol-free music events to beat booze
Jun 25 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal
What we learn from this pilot will really help inform the development of future activities for young people and provide an opportunity for young people to get involved in the organisation, running and marketing of the live music events.
“By tackling alcohol issues early on we are working together to protect the health of young people and their parents.”
Recent statistics show the North East is the region with the highest number of 14-15 year old pupils consuming seven or more units of alcohol in the seven days before being questioned.
And the region has the highest rates of conception in the country for females under 18 in the UK, with one of the highest percentages of 15-16 year olds who have engaged in unprotected sex as a result of alcohol use.
Last week, the largest public health debate to be held in the region was launched by Balance, the North East alcohol office, to assess the impact of drink on the region. Drinkers and non-drinkers are being asked to take part in the survey, which is supported by The Journal.
The debate aims to provide a comprehensive study of the attitudes towards, and relationships with, alcohol by encouraging members of the public to fill in a questionnaire. All the information gathered through the North East Big Drink Debate will be used to inform a state of the region report to be published in autumn.
