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Young people on the Northern Beaches will have their say on how to reduce binge drinking after Manly MP Mike Baird secured a grant from the NSW Government for a Summit on the issue.
Youth Minister Graham West visited Manly yesterday to award Manly Youth Council $5,000 to hold a two-day conference on binge drinking called Youth Decide later this year.
“I’m excited that young people on the Northern Beaches will have a forum where they can decide the best approach in combating binge drinking,” said Mr Baird.
“By no means is binge drinking a problem solely for youth – it is a culture widespread throughout the community.
“However, the youth perspective is essential if we are going to make a real reduction in the high levels of binge drinking leading to injury, assault and crime across the Peninsula.”
High school students and members of youth groups across the Northern Beaches will be invited to Youth Decide and participants will develop campaigns to prevent and attack the problem of binge drinking.
“At the Summit, young people will form working groups to think of a health promotion idea to combat binge drinking that they could run within their own school or peer group.
“Each working party will be given $500 to go back to their school or youth group and, with the support of a supervisor, will work on implementing the project over four months.”
As former Shadow Youth Minister, Mr Baird said he is aware that youth often feel marginalised and not listened to on issues that affect them.
“The Youth Decide Summit is a chance for youth to tell us what they think the solutions should be,” Mr Baird said.
“This will be a unique opportunity for young people to take leadership in developing prevention and awareness-raising campaigns to help their peers avoid binge drinking.”
The event will be organised by youth workers at Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Councils; Northern Beaches Health Promotion; and Manly Drug Education & Counselling Centre.
“I know the people involved will hold a first-class event that may well have significant long-term benefits for the kids involved and the community at large,” Mr Baird said.
MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880
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