'Buzz without booze' campaign and competition launched

News Release
16/02/2012

‘Buzz without booze’, a new campaign aimed at young people living in Southampton to promote fun activities without alcohol, was launched this week.

The project kicked off with a competition to win a Wii. The Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster would like 11 to 16 year olds living in Southampton to suggest how to have fun without booze. By submitting ideas and healthy activities, entrants could win a Wii and Wii Fit. All submitted ideas received during the competition will be entered into the prize draw. Entries can be made online at www.buzzwithoutbooze.org.

Entrants need to choose a relevant prize draw group (under £5, £5 to £15, over £15) for their activity and write a short description. There will be a prize for the most innovative idea and as well as prizes for first, second and third place in each category. Residents who do not have internet access and would like to enter can call the Communications and Engagement Team on 023 8029 6001 for an entry form. The deadline for all entries is March 31, 2012.

The project was developed in partnership with Southampton City Council, No Limits, Chapter One, Parent Support Link, Hampshire Constabulary and youth groups. The ‘Buzz without booze’ project aims to encourage young people to enjoy themselves without alcohol by participating in alternative activities. Sandy Jerrim, alcohol project manager, for the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth PCT Cluster said: “The levels of alcohol use significantly increases from age 11 to 15 years, and is therefore a critical time to make sure young people are making positive choices about what to do with their time. The campaign aims to get young people to share ideas about that they could be doing instead.

“The PCT Cluster is committed to promoting positive alternatives to young people and their parents, and is very excited to have developed the Buzz without Booze campaign as a way of involving young people,” explained Sandy.

Councillor Jeremy Moulton, Southampton City Council’s cabinet member for Children’s Services said: “I’m very happy to back this campaign. What’s great is that it’s all about involving young people directly in reducing the harm caused by alcohol and exploring positive, healthy and fun alternatives to drinking.”

Young people and parents can also find information and advice on alcohol awareness on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk/livewell/alcohol which has lots of ideas about how to cut down the amount of alcohol you have and enjoy the health benefits.

For further information please contact the Communications Team on 023 8062 7461.

Notes

• A survey conducted for the Information Centre, ‘Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in 2010’. The proportion of children drinking alcohol increases sharply with age: for example, only 1% of 11 year olds drank in the past week, compared with 30% of those aged 15.

• For more information on responsible drinking, please contact:

o        No Limits (Southampton) - 023 8022 4224

o        Parent Support Link - 023 8039 9764

o        Drinkaware - www.drinkaware.co.uk

o        FRANK - www.talktofrank.com/drug/alcohol

o        NHS Choices - www.nhs.uk/livewell/alcohol