Young people are being warned that drinking alcohol can seriously impair their ability to make the decisions they’d normally make, leading to serious consequences such as unwanted pregnancies and being hospitalised.
From today (Friday 5th February), teens will be targeted in cinemas across England with a new, hard-hitting advert. Set during a game of Spin the Bottle, and filmed as though from inside the bottle, the advert shows the serious outcomes of underage drinking from being involved in a violent confrontation, road traffic accident or having unprotected sex.
The adverts will be screened to encourage young people to consider another side to alcohol as part of a new Government campaign, ‘Why Let Drink Decide?’.
Figures from the Department of Children, Schools and Families show that:
· One in eight 15-16 year-old girls have had unprotected sex after drinking alcohol
· One in five 16 year olds have been involved in violence after drinking
· Under 14s who drink are three times more likely go on to take drugs
In addition to the ad campaign, an online teen portal has also launched this week. Available by searching online for ‘Why Let Drink Decide?’ it aims to provide young people with help and advice around drinking alcohol.
Interactive games will also encourage them to consider how drinking alcohol can seriously affect their decision-making ability.
Jack Rivers, a 17 year-old student says, "The advert is good because it’s true I’ve seen mates make really bad decisions when they’ve even just had a couple of drinks, and getting into all sorts of trouble. It’s not something people our age think about much so it’s good to remind them that alcohol is not just all fun and laughs."
Launched in January 2010, the campaign also aims to encourage parents to start talking to their children at an earlier age about alcohol as they have much more influence over their children at an earlier age than many think.
Nicole Fitton, 45, mum of three, says, "I think it’s important to help young people realise that there are two sides to alcohol. The worst of it isn’t being sick and having a terrible hangover, the big threat is the fact that it can make you decide to do things you’d never normally do putting you in very dangerous situations.
"I’ve made sure we’ve talked about alcohol with our children from being quite young so that when they do start drinking they’re better equipped to do so safely and sensibly."
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