Mobile ‘app’ where youngsters are tasked with giving care to a drunken friend is launched in Wirral to curb binge drinking

Feb 27 2013 by Helen Hunt, Birkenhead News

A NEW mobile ‘app’ where youngsters are tasked with giving care to a drunken friend was launched in Wirral to steer youths away from binge drinking.

The app or application which is available on mobile devices is part of Wirral council’s efforts to educate young people about the dangers of alcohol through a scheme called ‘Alcohol. Alright?’

Workers have already successfully devised a booklet which is giving frontline workers the confidence and skills to engage young people effectively to talk about alcohol and related issues.

With the app, players are tasked with guiding their drunken friend along the street and getting them home safely.

Points are scored for helping the friend home, providing them with water and reassuring them. Points are lost if they bump into hazards, such a traffic cones and dustbins.

Temptation is also on route with more alcohol available, which if drunk will see the friend suffer the effects.

Cllr Tony Smith, cabinet member for children’s services and lifelong learning, said: “Alcohol misuse by young people is a concern across our society and the more we can do to educate young people about the risks to them and how they can keep themselves and their friends safer the better.”

Since the launch of Alcohol. Alright? in the spring of 2012 by Wirral council’s Response agency, part of Wirral Youth & Play Service, more than 120 practitioners have been trained up in how to talk to young people about alcohol, including youth workers, youth offending workers, counsellors, nurses at Arrowe Park Hospital, school nurses, family support workers, peer educators and volunteers.

The education scheme is aimed at young people aged 13-19 in youth facilities, schools, parks and open spaces and other locations where young people frequent.

Following feedback, a guide is also being launched for parents and carers, which includes practical tips on how to talk about alcohol with children.

The booklet is being put in a range of locations including community centres, A&E at Arrowe Park Hospital and at a variety of events.

The mobile ‘app’ can be accessed from www.teenwirral.com/drunkfriend/