Campaign Against Underage Drinking Launched In Calabar

The campaign against underage drinking tagged Smashed project has been launched in Calabar, Cross River State.

The campaign powered by Collingwood Learning UK and carried out in Nigeria by the Beer Sectoral Group was launched Tuesday by Governor Ben Ayade.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof Ivara Esu, launched the programme at Transcorp in Calabar.

The Governor in his speech said, “Underage drinking is a societal ill that should concern any responsible government (and indeed, any responsible person) and no effort should be spared to protect young persons, due to their biological and psychological vulnerability.

“We are thus pleased to collaborate with the BSG on the Smashed Project in CrossRiver State, as a public-private sector partnership on social responsibility. Partnerships of this nature are crucial, as the government and private sector havea better chance of achieving their shared objectives when they work together.

“The Smashed Project is also aligned with the Cross River State Government’s focus on youth development and empowerment. The Smashed project will contribute to equipping our youth with the right mindset towards taking care ofvthemselves and making informed choices.

“It is quite instructive that the Smashed Project is being driven by the industry itself with this campaign, industry makes the emphatic point that it is not only interested in business, but in the well-being of society and in taking a firm stance against the harmful consumption of alcohol.”

The Chairman of the Beer Sectoral Group of MAN, Jordi Borrut Bel, in his remarks, said, “The Smashed Project is a global campaign against underage drinking, aimed at educating and enlightening adolescents and the general public on the dangers of underage drinking and ways to prevent and avoid it. Smashed is delivered using thought-provoking drama and interactive workshops to engage adolescents primarily, encouraging them to take a firm stance against underage drinking.

“In Nigeria, this presentation is done by Thespian Family Theatre. Since its inception in 2004, the Smashed project has engaged over 1 million students internationally and it has been delivered in 25 countries around the world, including UK, Australia, Italy and Brazil. In Africa, Smashed project has been delivered in Cameroon, Ethiopia and Nigeria.”

Bel also said the Smashed Project was introduced in Nigeria in 2018 and has so far been  delivered in Lagos, Abuja FCT, Ogun, Edo, Enugu, Anambra and Delta states,covering over 100 different localities, both urban and rural. 

“Smashed has reached about 35,000 students in over 170 public and private schools in Nigeria and enjoyed the immense cooperation of state ministries of education, principals, teachers, guidance counsellors and students – with more of them understanding the risk factors associated with underage drinking and how to detect and prevent such risksfrom materialising. 

“The BSG plans to continue to deliver Smashed on an annual basis, with a focus on reaching a minimum of 12,000 students across 60 schools in 3 states in this year alone (Cross River, Delta and Oyo states).”

“The Smashed Project engages teachers in the schools, enlightening them on how to engage their students on the consequences of underage drinking. Thus far, about 95% of teachers engaged say their students came to understand more about underage drinking and its effects after participating in the program, with over 90% saying they feel more confident talking with young people about the dangers of alcohol abuse.

“Parents are also engaged under the Smashed Project. Smashed helps them to understand the vulnerability of the teenage years and how to sensitise their children on the dangers of underage drinking.”

According to the Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr Godwin Amanke, who was also at the event, the campaign will be carried out in some schools  across the three enatorial districts in the state.