Local PCSPs alcohol misuse campaign

At the Jet Centre Cinema to launch 'My name is Katie' alcohol awareness program in cinemas across the province and pictured from local Police and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSP) l-r Bridgenne Butler manager Moyle PCSP, Gary Mullan Coleraine PCSP, Andy Chapman Limavady PCSP officer, Michael McCafferty Ballymoney PCSP, Cllr Joan Baird chair of Moyle PCSP and Sam McGregor vice chair Limavady PCSP.

The aim of this Policing and Community Safety Partnership initiative is to encourage conversations between parents/guardians and young children, adopting a harm reduction approach.

The overall message is the power of parental influence – start thinking before they start drinking.

The ‘My Name is Katie’ campaign initially featured across the Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Moyle Council areas.

The aim was to see the campaign develop through new activities, with the resource being adapted for roll out across all cinemas in Northern Ireland.

Ballymoney PCSP chair Thomas McKeown said the project will achieve an increase in awareness among parents in respect of early and appropriate communication with their children around alcohol.

“The campaign allows for around 95,000 guaranteed admissions across NI cinemas per week, so we are getting the message across.

“While it might be tempting for parents to delay speaking to their children about alcohol until they are older and more mature, we know opening a dialogue in their pre-teen years is crucial to delaying the age of first drink.

“We recommend parents start the conversation with their children when they are most receptive and before the teen years when increased peer pressure kicks in.”