TEWKESBURY News

Tewkesbury youngsters get lesson in how to stay out of trouble

11:07am Monday 26th July 2010

STUDENTS at a school in Tewkesbury were given an insight into the effects of substance misuse during an educational event with officers from the town’s Police Safer Community Team.

The ‘health day’ at Tewkesbury School took place with Year 11 youngsters and was aimed at educating and informing them about the dangers of alcohol and drug misuse ahead of the summer holidays.

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member for safer, stronger and healthier communities, Coun Elaine Hancox, said: “This event will help to make sure that young people are able to make informed decisions and hopefully withstand any peer pressure.

“The sessions are designed to capture the students’ attention while still being educational, which is important if we are to effectively inform young people of the dangers of substance misuse.”

Sessions were held on a wide range of topics including drug and alcohol abuse, smoking, pregnancy, job prospects and more.

PC Phil Groom, from the Safer Community Team, said: “With a small number of young people now experimenting with alcohol and drugs over the summer holidays this was a great way of not only informing them of the dangers, but also telling them that most of the practices were in fact illegal and that we will be relentless in dealing firmly with anyone found in possession of any illegal substance in the town.”

Students were also offered the opportunity to perform tasks while wearing ‘beer goggles’ to fully understand the affects of too much alcohol.

PC Groom added: "We hope that we were able to get the message across to these boys and girls that there is a much better way to enjoy your school holiday than getting arrested for drugs possession and ending up in a police cell.

“That said, the children really seemed to enjoy the experience and came away with positive and useful information which will help them throughout their life.”

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