Anti-drinking play conveys grim warning
A theatre company is helping police to combat under-age drinking by educating pupils on the dangers of alcohol.
Actors visited King Richard School in Paulsgrove to perform a piece on under-age drinking for year nine pupils as part of the Weekend Project launched by Hampshire police.
The plot involved two 15-year-old girls getting drunk and the dire consequences that followed. These included one being knocked over by a car and the other having a one-night stand.
Inspector Eddie Charlton, who leads the Safer Neighbourhoods teams for Cosham, said: 'This kind of activity complements the work that we do in enforcing the law relating to under-age drinking, teaching young people the risks of drinking alcohol. It's important in ensuring our message is heard and understood.'
The play was staged by a group of four actors from the Solomon Theatre Company. After the performance they remained in character and were asked questions about their drunken behaviour.
The pupils were split into three groups and each was given the opportunity to discuss what they thought should have been done.
Elizabeth Harding, spokeswoman for Hampshire Constabulary, said: 'The students were vocal in their opinions about what they had seen, and openly questioned the actions of the actors in the story.
'Though the majority of the audience admitted having drunk alcohol themselves, they were sensible in their reasoning and ideas about what they would have done.'
This activity was part of the ongoing Weekend Project, launched in Paulsgrove in January, when the police, council, trading standards and support organisations such as Motiv8 joined forces to educate young people and their parents and carers about the dangers of drinking under age, as well as enforcing the laws around the issue.
This work includes test purchase operations at local shops, seizing alcohol from under-18s and informing their parents, working in schools in the area and a public awareness campaign.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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