Drinkaware aims to cut alcohol misuse in young people with life skills education

Published: 03 October, 2011

Drinkaware has launched a life-skills based education programme with the aim of lowering alcohol misuse among young people.

The alcohol education charity kickstarts its In:tuition programme today - a free life-skills based interactive teaching resource for primary and secondary schools.

Drinkaware's research shows the average age of first unsupervised drink is just under 14 years old, highlighting the transition from primary to secondary school as a critical time to talk to them.

Adapted for the UK, Drinkaware's cross-curricular programme aims to build confidence and decision-making skills of pupils aged nine to 14. The goal is to enable them to make more informed decisions on alcohol, sex and relationships, personal finance, health and civic responsibility.

The programme has been developed along with teachers and lessons include:

exploring self awareness

attitudes and behaviour

advertising, branding and the media

emotions, communication skills and assertive behaviour

the influence of peers

goal setting and confidence

Chris Sorek, Drinkaware's chief executive, said: "In:tuition empowers young people with the knowledge and self-confidence they need to make lifelong healthy decisions - not only about drinking but about a range of risky behaviours. We know the later a young person has their first drink, the less likely they are to drink to harmful levels later in life."

Andrew Brown, director of programmes at drug prevention charity Mentor, said: "International studies have shown that the life skills approach is a proven way to delay the onset of risky behaviour in young people."

As part of the second phase of the government's Responsibility Deal, the alcohol network, led by WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles, has set up a working group to look at how to improve alcohol education for young people.

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