Popular young people's alcohol guide updated

Young people in the Royal Borough have been working with the borough's drug and alcohol action team (DAAT) to update a popular guide that aims to help them make informed choices about alcohol and drinking.

Alcohol - a guide for young people, was first published in 2006 and is aimed at 12-15-year-olds. It features a cartoon format and contains information on units of alcohol, the dangers of drinking, the law and what to do in an emergency. Three thousand copies will be distributed throughout the borough.

The booklet has been designed to complement the DAAT's other alcohol related educational work with young people. Its sister publication, A Big Night Out, is aimed at 16 -24-year-olds and focuses on binge drinking. Both booklets can be used on their own or with the DVD, Smells like teen spirit.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for adult and community services (which includes the DAAT), said: "The booklet has been very popular - so much so that we needed to do a re-print and we thought this would be a good opportunity to review it in consultation with young people. I would like to thank them for their help and constructive feedback as this has helped the DAAT produce a better booklet.

"We do not condone underage drinking but the DAAT accepts that some young people will experiment with alcohol and therefore adopts a harm-minimisation approach. This booklet and the other material available should provide young people with valuable information to help them make informed decisions.

"It is tremendously important that this was a peer-led project. We have learned through other drugs and alcohol work in schools that this approach has a greater impact - it's in their words so it will help to get the message across in a way that will mean more to young people."

Copies of the booklet are available from the DAAT on 01628 796362 or email: DAAT@rbwm.gov.uk