STUDENT ‘LAB RATS’
STUDENTS were unwitting ‘‘lab rats’’ while taking part in O Week activities yesterday.
That is because they were being studied by The Tomorrow Project executive director Matt Claridge, who has been tasked with changing New Zealand’s drinking culture to one in which people drink more safely.
It was likely the behaviour he saw in Dunedin would help guide future national alcohol education programmes, he said.
The Tomorrow Project is funded by the Brewers Association, Spirits NZ, and New Zealand Winegrowers.
‘‘Our role is to change the drinking behaviour in New Zealand, and one of the problem age groups is 18 to 24yearolds,’’ Mr Claridge said.
‘‘That’s when a lot of our drinking behaviour becomes indoctrinated. And so having been an Otago University student, I thought it would be a pretty good place to come to see what’s changed since my time here, and what else might need to change.
‘‘It’s highly likely we will gear future programmes around what we see here.’’
During his visit yesterday, he met university staff and OUSA events organisers, but was also keen to consult other interested parties.
‘‘We don’t have a big budget, so partnerships are the way to work.
‘‘I’m really interested in what the university’s and the city’s intentions and objectives are around working with students.
‘‘The economy is certainly one thing that benefits from students being in town, but how can the experience be good for everybody? And that’s where our drinking behaviour has become a real part of the focus.’’
A social change initiative, The Tomorrow Project was founded in 2012 with the aim of creating a culture in which drinking in moderation is the norm.
Through public education programmes, The Tomorrow Project supports New Zealanders to understand the drivers and effects of their drinking behaviour, and to make smarter choices to keep themselves, and the people around them, safe and sociable when they are drinking.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz