Student alcohol campaigns highlight alternatives to drink.

Two new campaigns are targeted at seeking a turnaround in the growth in alcohol consumption among young people.

Second-level pupils awaiting Junior Certificate results next week are being encouraged to mark the day at alcohol- and drug-free events.

In the build-up to the results, the No Name Club has expressed concern at the latest Health Service Executive (HSE) research that found that 30pc of Irish teens regularly get drunk.

The club, a national voluntary organisation providing a range of alcohol- and drug free activities for teens, will host over 20 events throughout the country on results day, under the banner Positive Alternatives.

The Positive Alternatives campaign, to be fronted by RTE presenter Aidan Power, will include a music festival in Thurles, Co Tipperary; a youth festival in Cobh, Co Cork; a foam disco in Mountbellew, Co Galway; and a Rose of Carrindine Competition in Balla, Co Mayo.

"No Name Club enables young people to organise and enjoy positive alternatives to alcohol- and drug-centred activities, building self-confidence and increasing awareness of the effects of alcohol and drugs to help young people make informed choices when they are older," said No Name Club chief executive Martin Ryan.

He said teens drank for many reasons such as acceptance, peer pressure, boredom and lack of self-esteem with potentially serious consequences.

At present, the organisation has almost 1,000 young people trained as youth leaders and over 10,000 young teens actively taking part in activities and events each year.

And in Cork, students are being challenged to give up alcohol for just a single week.

The challenge came as part of an education drive about the alternatives to alcohol products ranging from soft-drinks to alcohol-free beers and wines.

Source: Katherine Donnelly and Ralph Riegel, The Irish Independent, 02/09/2008