Thousands of secondary school students in Cheshire are about to learn about the risks of underage drinking through the ‘Smashed’ alcohol education programme. This initiative, now in its twentieth year in Great Britain, is the largest secondary school tour to date, aiming to engage students through interactive methods.
In the previous school year, Smashed reached over 80,000 students across the UK and will be visiting 12 schools in Cheshire, including in Runcorn, Northwich, and Knutsford until October 25th. Supported by Diageo and Collingwood Learning, the project has educated over 580,000 students in Great Britain and 5.5 million globally.
The programme combines live theatre performances, interactive workshops, and digital experiences to educate students about the causes and consequences of underage drinking. Professional actors deliver a 25-minute performance followed by a 35-minute workshop where students reflect on the themes and discuss the choices made by the characters.
This initiative is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by promoting health and well-being among adolescents. Smashed collaborates with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) to work with various organizations and reduce alcohol-related harm among young people.
Despite progress in reducing underage drinking levels in the UK, hospital admissions for alcohol-specific conditions among under 18s in Cheshire West remain higher than the national average. The programme has been effective, with 78% of students worldwide stating they are less likely to engage in underage drinking after participating in Smashed.
Nuno Teles, managing director at Diageo GB, expressed pride in the programme’s impact, emphasizing the importance of educating young people about responsible drinking. Chris Simes, managing director at Collingwood Learning, highlighted the ongoing need to reinforce the message about the health and social risks of underage drinking.
The positive impact of the programme is evident in the latest UK evaluation report, showing that students have increased knowledge about the risks of underage drinking after attending a Smashed session. With a goal to educate 10 million young people by 2030, the programme expanded in 2021 with Smashed Online, providing interactive tools and assessments that can be completed in schools or from home.
Schools that are not reached by the live tour can also participate in Smashed Online. More information about the Smashed programme and its upcoming tour can be found on the Smashed Project website, encouraging young people to make informed and responsible choices about alcohol consumption.
