Slough Borough Council’s trading standards have come up with a new initiative to help their already successful reduction of alcohol sales to minors by using actors in a special play.
Children at Beechwood School, Slough will be treated to the play Last Orders, on October 10. This will be performed by professional actors to educate pupils in Slough about the consequences of drinking alcohol and buying it for others.
Developed by a team of doctors, police, The NSPCC and teachers, the performance is based on the true story of two young girls and the outcome of their binge drinking.
The script is written in an accessible, hard-hitting style that immediately captures the attention and imagination of its year nine target audience.
Underage drinking and alcohol use are common factors that link anti-social behaviour, teenage pregnancy and illegal purchase of age restricted products.
Last Orders is tailored to explore each of these themes in more detail.
Underage youngsters are still obtaining alcohol by asking someone else to buy it on their behalf, despite the council’s trading standards success of reducing sales to minors in shops.
Keith Eaglestone, trading standards manager for Slough Borough Council, said: “Through professional actors, the students will be shown how alcohol affects the way people think, their lack of inhibitions, attitude to risk and ultimately, their self-control.
“It’s vital young people don’t see alcohol as something fun and harmless. It can lead to much heartache, for both the drinker and those around them.”
Following the performance, a specially designed workshop will explore the themes of anti-social behaviour and illegal purchases, including law on alcohol and age-restricted products, attitude to risk and sexual health, including unplanned pregnancy and STIs.
The performance will be viewed by years nine, ten and 11.
Commissioner for community and leisure, Cllr Shafiq Chaudhry, added: “This new initiative compliments the council’s work in providing thousands of Proof of Age cards to school children in Slough.
“Trading standards have done an excellent job in reducing the amount of alcohol sales to minors in the town, and this play will go a long way in helping children understand the effects of alcohol and how to be responsible.”
Slough Borough Council
