Competition to highlight the dangers of underage drinking

The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) has launched a new competition through its website www.up-2-you.net to encourage young people to find out about the realities of underage drinking.

A survey of 11–16 year olds in Northern Ireland found that just over half (54%) have taken an alcoholic drink and of those who have ever had an alcoholic drink, over three quarters (76%) were aged 13 or under when they had their first drink.¹

HPA qualitative research on young people’s attitudes to alcohol found that their reasons for drinking included having more confidence, liking the taste, losing inhibitions, becoming less shy, being part of the crowd, being in a better mood and for fun. Most young people did not view drinking alcohol as a risky activity and felt that it was socially acceptable for young people to drink alcohol but they had a negative perception of being very drunk and not in control of their behaviour.²

Victoria Creasy, Senior Manager for Public Health at the HPA, said: “The reality is that some children in Northern Ireland drink alcohol. The effect it can have on their development and the risks associated with drinking may be things they haven’t really thought about, so it’s important that they have accurate information in the format they want it. Through our research with young people we know that the Internet is viewed as the most popular place for them to go to get advice on health related issues.

“Up-2-You competitions have attracted thousands of entries in the past, and this year we’re trying to encourage even more by awarding a prize of a laptop to the primary school, post-primary school and youth club in Northern Ireland with the most correct entries. We hope this will motivate teachers and youth workers to get young people online and finding out what they need to know about drinking.”

Up-2-You’s interactive alcohol section has information on how alcohol can affect you, explanation of units and legal issues as well as practical advice on what to do if someone needs help and what to do in an emergency.

The competition is primarily aimed at 11–14 year olds but is open to anyone aged 18 and under living in Northern Ireland. Competition entry cards and posters have been distributed to primary schools, post-primary schools and youth clubs across Northern Ireland. Young people can enter by filling out an entry card or entering online at: www.up-2-you.net

The competition closing date is Thursday 12 March 2009.

Young people need to correctly answer three questions to be entered into a draw for one of the following prizes:

• a Nintendo Wii console;
• an iPod touch;
• a Nintendo DS handheld + game;
• a flip digital camera;
• Six runner-up prizes of £50 vouchers for a leading sports shop.

p-2-You provides information on health issues that affect young people including smoking, passive smoking, alcohol, drugs and mental health.

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For media enquiries contact:
The HPA Press Office on Tel: 028 9031 1611.

¹ Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Young person’s behaviour and attitudes survey bulletin, October- November 2007, NISRA, June 2008.