Sunderland Echo

Pupils’ lesson in dangers of alcohol abuse

- By Sue Kirby sue.kirby@jpress.co.uk @suekirbyjp

Hundreds of Wearside youngsters are being given a dramatic lesson on the dangers of alcohol abuse.

Pupils at several Sunderland schools are benefiting from and award-winning internatio­nal programme about underage drinking.

A play, Smashed, is touring schools in Tyne and Wear and this week has been to St Robert of Newminster Catholic School, Washington, Sandhill View Academy and Monkwearmo­uth Academy.

From today, the play will visit more schools, including Farringdon Community Academy, Academy 360 and St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy.

The play is about a group of friends who find themselves in trouble as a result of their misuse of alcohol.

The performanc­e is followed by an interactiv­e workshop where pupils are invited to probe the cast on any of the issues brought up and explore the consequenc­es portrayed by the actors.

Smashed is an alcohol education and awareness programme and this year the tour will appear in 90 UK schools in six different regions.

To date the programme has reached more than 333,000 pupils in 1,400 schools across the UK since it began in 2005.

Smashed was developed in consultati­on with young people and has been designed to engage with pupils in a different way to typical school lessons.

Julie Elliott, MP for Sunderland Central, went along to Monkwearmo­uth Academy to watch the play with the students.

She said: “Alcohol misuse is a tough subject to educate young adults about in a way that is supportive, informativ­e and resonates.

“I was pleased to get to experience the performanc­e at Monkwearmo­uth Academy, and I am delighted that students in Sunder- land have the opportunit­y to benefit from such an engaging programme.”

Smashed is also set to visit 16 countries over 12 months in 2018, including Nigeria, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Australia.

Aileen Keyes, Head of Alcohol in Society Europe, Diageo, one of the world’s leading alcohol manufactur­ers which sponsors the play, said: “Watching the Smashed performanc­e is a truly memorable experience and teaches a powerful lesson on the consequenc­es of alcohol misuse.

“By getting students to participat­e and feel part of the performanc­e, Smashed equips young people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about alcohol, which will stand them in good stead.”

 ??  ?? MP Julie Elliott, front, with Monkwearmo­uth pupils and actors Daniel Petts, Eve Shotton and Jordan Moore.
MP Julie Elliott, front, with Monkwearmo­uth pupils and actors Daniel Petts, Eve Shotton and Jordan Moore.

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