Alcohol education an important lesson for Torbay Community College students

Release Date: July 2009

Students at Torquay Community College will be receiving tutorials with a difference on Friday. Together with the Police and the Children’s society, Torbay’s Anti-social behaviour team will be informing students of the risks involved in alcohol misuse.

The aim of the presentation is to illustrate how each of the agencies could become involved in the downward spiral that is alcohol exploitation, from getting arrested by Police for drunk and disorderly through to submission into hospital and the support agencies involved in fighting the addiction.

Alcohol is glamorised by so many media channels nowadays that it is even more important that the message about consequences resulting from misuse is communicated to the younger generation. A and E Sister Jane Watson is in support of the programme, saying; “I have first-hand experience of dealing with the consequences of alcohol misuse in society and it really concerns me that the younger generation don’t seem to have an educated understanding of how serious the risks can be. I passionately believe that there is a need and more so, a responsibility for young people to be given the hard facts about the dangers of alcohol.”

Alcohol misuse leads on to a plethora of other problems for society, including and most likely, Anti-social behaviour. By making sure that the students are informed about what constitutes Anti-social behaviour and how alcohol misuse has proven to cause problematical conduct that is considered ASB by the community, makes them aware of the un-glamorised perspective that is often the reality for others.

Youth Intervention Officer Stephen Rae believes the kids should see the full picture and comments; “We are not trying to scare the students, but to give them a factual view of what we see on a regular basis. During the presentation we will be providing them with information about alcohol and the law and how to stay safe if they need help”.

Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Louisa Aiton comments; “We have a booming night-time economy and want people to enjoy what the bay has to offer in a safe and responsible manner. Educating the younger generation about the dangers of over-indulgence and the effect on the community will allow them the good judgement to make an educated decision when the time comes for them to begin experimenting with alcohol.”