With the festive season in full swing, Macarthur youth charity Youth Solutions is urging young people to Take it Easy and enjoy memorable, not regrettable, celebrations.
The Youth Solutions Take it Easy campaign, which is run in partnership with Campbelltown Catholic Club was launched on October 30 this year and has already reached hundreds of young people with its messages about the importance celebrating safely.
The campaign, targeted at 18 – 25 year olds aims to encourage young people to make safer choices when drinking alcohol, celebrating with friends or heading out for the night.
The campaign complements Youth Solutions’ project work which focuses on youth knowledge and skill development to improve the health, wellbeing and resilience of our young people and community; with an emphasis on preventing drug and alcohol related harm.
The Take it Easy campaign also highlights the importance of knowing your own limits and sticking to them; knowing when to call it a night; planning your night out and a safe way home; and the importance of calling emergency services if something goes wrong.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We want our young people to have a fun, safe and memorable time this festive season,” says Youth Solutions chief executive officer Geraldine Dean.[/social_quote]
“And that’s why we are sharing with them some important information, messages and tips through our Take it Easy campaign.”
Mrs Dean thanked everyone who had dropped past the Youth Solutions stalls at Campbelltown Catholic Club. She also encouraged people visit the Youth Solutions team at Carols in Garden this Saturday, December 19 or hop onto the Youth Solutions website to download a copy of this year’s Safer Celebrations guide.
The guide is full of practical information to help young people have a safe night out.
“People can also watch campaign videos on our website or YouTube channel which really bring those key messages and tips to life,” Mrs Dean said.
“If I could drive home two key messages from this year’s campaign the first would be for everyone to realise that it’s OK to stick to your own limits when celebrating or having a night out. If that means saying no to drinking alcohol, sitting out a round or having water between alcoholic drinks, that’s OK.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The second would be for everyone to know the importance of calling an ambulance or emergency services on triple zero (000) if something goes wrong on their night out, even if alcohol or drugs are involved. Even if you are unsure it is always safer to call an ambulance – it really could be the difference between life and death.”[/social_quote]
As part of the Take it Easy campaign young people are encouraged to fill out a campaign survey for a chance to win a $50 Campbelltown Catholic Club voucher. The survey is available at the campaign stalls, as well as online.
During December and January, Campbelltown Catholic Club is also offering free soft drinks all night to young people who register as a designated sober driver when they sign in to the club.
For more information about the campaign visit youthsolutions.com.au or connect with Youth Solutions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
To be mailed a resource pack, contact Amanda on 4628 2319 or email her at amanda@youthsolutions.com.au.
♦ Youth Solutions is a health promotion and youth drug and alcohol prevention charity. For more information about Youth Solutions, or for drug and alcohol education, information, referral, or the current activities of Youth Solutions: Phone 4628 2319, email info@youthsolutions.com.au or visit the website.
