A campaign aimed at driving safer celebrating is peaking in Macarthur and the Southern Highlands this month.
The Youth Solutions Celebrate Safe and Well campaign has already directly engaged with more than 3,000 young people since its launch in November last year.
But as the campaign enters its final month, wrapping up at the end of January, the focus is to ensure young people see out their summer breaks with positive memories.
“We’ve had a great community response to our Celebrate Safe and Well campaign and young people are really taking on board the campaign messages and the simple tips they can follow to make their celebrations safer,” says Geraldine Dean, the Youth Solutions chief executive officer.
“This campaign is all about supporting our young people to take steps which can prevent them from drug and alcohol related harm.
“We know that binge drinking, and the associated risks, remain an issue for our young people.
“So it is important for us as a community to challenge the notion of what makes a great night out or a great celebration and remind our young people that they can have a great time without alcohol or without drinking too much.
“We want to let young people know that their own personal limits should be respected.
“We want to support and encourage our young people to look out for one another and to value their safety and take steps to protect it.
“We want to them to be able to look back on these times in their lives with fond and positive memories.”
With the summer celebrations continuing for many school leavers and students and Australia Day festivities approaching, the Youth Solutions campaign is imploring young people to recognise their limits when drinking alcohol, to plan ahead to ensure they have safe transport to and from their celebrations and to avoid situations that make them feel uncomfortable or put them at risk.
“It’s all about those personal limits and gut instincts,’’ says Amanda Dillon, Youth Solutions communications coordinator and Celebrate Safe and Well campaign lead.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“When you are out, make sure you stay with your friends and walk away from any situation that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable,’’ Ms Dillon said.[/social_quote]
“Don’t let people pressure you into doing things you don’t want to do and show the same respect to your mates.
“If you are going to drink alcohol, make sure you eat and stay hydrated with water and recognise when you have had enough.
“And keep an eye out for your friends if they are drinking alcohol.
“It’s also a good idea to have a responsible adult you trust who you know you can call to come to pick you up if you get stuck and can’t get home.
“Above all, we want young people to know that if something goes wrong, it’s important to ask or call for help.
“If a friend gets sick or passes out, call for an ambulance and tell them if your friend has been drinking or taking drugs because they can then provide the right care.”
The Celebrate Safe and Well campaign is delivered in partnership with Campbelltown Catholic Club.
For more information about the campaign visit the Youth Solutions website here 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 on amanda@youthsolutions.com.au.
