“Think before you drink” campaign launched

YOUNG people at Warrington are being urged to “think before they drink” and grab some useful free giveaways as part of the borough council’s annual Stay Safe campaign
The council has again targeted the campaign at teenagers and young adults to ensure that they don’t feel pressured into drinking, and to take precautions to be safe if they do drink.
Working in partnership with Warrington’s Youth Service (YAS) and the Youth Advice Shop, the council’s Public Health Team has developed wallet “reminder” cards.
The cards contain Stay Safe messages on the front, with the YAS Christmas opening times on the reverse.
The team is also giving out Spikey bottle stoppers, which fit inside the top of a bottle to prevent sliding a straw through to reduce the possibility of drinks being spiked.
Young people who are YAS members have helped to create the key messages which include:
*Make sure your phone is charged and you know how you’re getting home
*Don’t be pressured into drinking
*Don’t let alcohol ruin a good night.
Cllr Pat Wright, member for statutory health and adult social care, said:“The Stay Safe campaign is a great way to remind residents, particularly young people, to stay safe whilst enjoying themselves at Christmas time. “We know that excessive alcohol can sometimes encourage risky behaviour and we hope the campaign will help to minimise this. We are also keen to make sure our young people, particularly those who are underage, do not feel pressured into drinking.
“By including the YAS opening times on the reverse of our wallet cards, we can be confident that young people will know where to go for contraception and advice over the Christmas period should they need it. So if you have a teenager or young person of your own, remind them to take note of the campaign messages, to stay safe and have a great Christmas.”
Further information about the Stay Safe campaign can be found at www.warrington.gov.uk/staysafe. Wallet cards and Spikey bottle stoppers are available from the Youth Service based at Orford Youth Base.