Public Invite to view unique DVD
People in Fylde are being encouraged to “rethink your drink”.
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People in Fylde are being encouraged to “rethink your drink” during Alcohol Awareness Week 2009 with a special public viewing of the locally acclaimed DVD ‘Makes You Think Doesn’t It?’ on 20th October at Carr Hill High School Kirkham. This unique resource, originally launched in May by the group of pupils from St Bede’s School Lytham who wrote and performed in it, aims to support their peers to take positive action in their own lives to reduce the risks associated with excess alcohol.
Nighat Parveen, Operations Manager for Lancashire Young Peoples Services, in Fylde and Wyre, said; “Lancashire YPS has facilitated young people's involvement in this project and is delighted that this partnership approach has developed a resource that can be used to inform and start dialogue with young people in a number of different settings about an issue that is very close to their hearts.
The DVD was originally produced as a resource to be used by teachers and community leaders working with young people. However, the launch also highlighted to parents who attended, that most young people are concerned about the dangers of excess alcohol to themselves and would like more opportunities to talk more openly about these concerns. The everyday scenarios depicted in the DVD provide first hand information for parents to help them to take on their responsibility to talk to young people about more responsible drinking.
Partner s through the Fylde Vision Local Strategic Partnership are particularly keen to work with local communities through the use of the DVD and other partnership work to help address the significant increases in the health of the local female population. The Annual Report of the North Lancashire Director of Public Health, just published, shows that Fylde now ranks 4th out of the 354 local authorities in England for female mortality from chronic liver disease and 6th for months of life lost (NWPHO 2008).
Mike Leaf, Deputy Director of Public Health for NHS North Lancashire, said: “
“It is pleasing to see a group of young people so involved in helping to raise awareness of the downside to alcohol and we are very grateful to them for developing this innovative film. This new resource will help to promote a responsible attitude to alcohol and highlight the harmful effects of excessive drinking through young people.”
It is hoped that parents will be able to see the responsibility they have to themselves to think about how they are putting their own health at risk, by regularly drinking above the recommended guidelines for lower risk drinking, as well as recognising the role they have to play in working with young people to curb any future rise in deaths associated with excess alcohol.
The public viewing of the DVD will begin at 6.30 at Carr Hill School Kirkham with also an opportunity to meet with other key partners to learn about other positive actions that are taking place across Fylde to reduce harm from excess alcohol.
If you would like any further information regarding this DVD viewing please contact Amanda Holt Public Health Improvement Specialist at NHS North Lancashire on 01253 303250
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