NEWS RELEASE

PR 765

For Immediate Release 14 June 2002

Young people think about the dangers of alcohol

STORY AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

A COMPETITION run by Bath & North East Somerset Council to highlight the dangers of young people drinking too much alcohol has now been judged.

Open to school pupils throughout the area, the competition invited entrants to convey the message ‘alcohol can be fun but it can also be dangerous’ in a creative and memorable way.

Kate Murphy, Drug Education Consultant at the Council, said: "There were some very creative and imaginative entries in the form of poems, models, videos, powerpoint presentations, posters and even a rap song.

"The judges were amazed and delighted at the response. The standard of entries was quite phenomenal."

Among the issues highlighted as being linked to misuse of alcohol were crime, domestic violence, drinking and driving, binge drinking, safety issues for both young men and women and legal problems.

Kate added: "Entries most often contained a message or a moral to encourage safer drinking.

"Obviously a lot of thought had gone into this work and we hope it will encourage young people to think more carefully about the consequences."

Prize winners are in different age categories and are as follows: First Prizes:

• Josh Burks Way & Olly Skillman Wilson (Batheaston Primary )
• Sophie Wooton & Rosie Anderson (Hayesfield)
• Soloman Skinner, Jamie West, Richard Nash, Sam Dryburgh, Matthew Dagger, Cherry
• Elliott (New Start Centre ,City of Bath College)

Runner Up Prizes:

• Jacob Smith (Maureen Wheadon Centre)
• Erin Jeffery & Olivia Simms (Norton Hill School)
• Guy Willis (Odd Down Youth Centre)

Highly Commended:

• Isobel Lister (Bathford Primary)
• Jessica Miller (Hayesfield )
• Katie Stephenson, Rosie Carpenter, Hannah Dunsdon, Polly Tisdall (Hayesfield)
• Jon Nash, Ollie Rose, Dave Welsh (Ralph Allen)
• Leanne Parham (Summerfield School)

Cllr Gerry Curran, Executive Member for Education, said: "This competition was a good and effective way to make young people aware of the dangers of alcohol.

"Everyone involved has been overwhelmed by the interest shown and the high standards of all the entries. Well done to all those who took part."

The competition has been supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council, Avon & Somerset Constabulary, Community Safety Partnership, PC World, HMV Bath, Quasars, Warner Village Cinemas and the Football Association.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Prizes will be presented to some prize-winners at 10.30am on Tuesday, June 18 at the New Start Centre (Level Four), City of Bath College. Photographers are welcome to

For more information, contact:

Kate Murphy, Drug Education Consultant, on Tel: 01225 394502 or e-mail kate_murphy@bathnes.gov.uk

For comment, contact:

Cllr Gerry Curran, Executive Member for Education, on Tel: 07980 998803 or e-mail gerry_curran@bathnes.gov.uk

Issued by: Richard Cottle, B&NES Press Office on 01225 477283 pressoffice@bathnes.gov.uk