Lancashire teenagers get dramatic lesson on underage drinking

Teenagers across the county have been getting a hard-hitting lesson on the perils of alcohol abuse.
The cast in action at Central Lancaster High SchoolThe cast in action at Central Lancaster High School
The cast in action at Central Lancaster High School

Pupils from Balshaw’s CE High in Leyland, Central Lancaster High and Clitheroe Royal Grammar are among a handful of schools across the North West receiving a hard-hitting lesson on the risks associated with underage drinking as part of the award-winning international programme Smashed.

More than 200 pupils at each school have so far watched a play about a group of friends who find themselves in trouble as a result of their misuse of alcohol.

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The performances were followed by an interactive workshops where pupils were encouraged to probe the cast on any of the issues brought up during the play and explore the consequences portrayed by the actors.

The performance was part of an alcohol education and awareness programme sponsored by Diageo and delivered by Collingwood Learning.

This tour will visit 90 schools in seven different regions across England, reaching 18,000 students.

Smashed’ was developed in consultation with young people and has been designed to engage with pupils in a different way to typical school lessons. It combines the use of drama with interactive workshops to help young people understand the facts, causes, and consequences of alcohol misuse and the risks of underage drinking.

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Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “I’m delighted to hear that schools have invited Smashed, as I understand the workshop helps give school pupils the knowledge they need to have responsible attitudes towards drinking in later life.”