HAVE FUN, STAY SAFE’, that’s the message of a campaign aimed at young people in Eastbourne this Christmas.
The Christmas holiday period is a time of year when people can drink to excess, particularly in the town centre.
A number of organisations, including NHS East Sussex Downs & Weald, Sussex Police, Eastbourne Borough Council and East Sussex Safer Pubbing & Clubbing Group are working together to help get the message across to young people to drink sensibly and make sure they can get home safely at the end of a night out.
The top 10 tips for a safe and enjoyable evening out on the town are:
1. Eat before you go out to reduce the effects of your drinking
2. Remember, it's not about saving up your units for the week and cramming them all into one evening. (Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, 14 for women.)
3. Drink water regularly during the evening and before you go to bed
4. Take a break if you think the drink is hitting you too quickly
5. Pace yourself with soft drinks - a tonic looks the same with or without vodka
6. Don't try to keep up with friends who drink more than you - that's their choice
7. Don't mix alcohol with drugs of any kind, especially ecstasy or cocaine: it can be deadly
8. Plan how you're going to get home before you set off. If you're drunk you're more likely to decide to get an unlicensed minicab or walk home alone
9. You might not be out of control but you can't control how other people behave when they're drunk. Half of all violent crimes are alcohol-related
10. After a session of heavy drinking take a break for 48 hours to let your body recover
The campaign includes adverts on local radio station, Sovereign FM, adverts in the local press and specially designed cards with space to write that all important telephone number to call when you want to go home, as well as advice on sensible drinking.
There will also be checks on licensed premises to ensure they are acting responsibly, especially over under age drinking.
The project is a joint effort between the Healthy Eastbourne Board and the Eastbourne Crime Reduction Partnership.
A number of partners are involved– NHS East Sussex Downs & Weald, Sussex Police, Eastbourne Borough Council, the Red Cross, the YMCA, Sussex Downs College, Eastbourne Foyer and East Sussex Safer Pubbing & Clubbing Group.
The project is aimed at:
• encouraging sensible drinking
• reducing any harm and anti-social behaviour caused by the excessive use of alcohol
• reducing related pressures on services including Sussex Ambulance Service and the Accident and Emergency Department at the Eastbourne District General Hospital.
