Like most cities, Belfast has had its fair share of troubling statistics and unfortunate public embarrassments when it comes to substance abuse among young adults. Just last week, major universities in the city had circulated emails to their entire student bodies in the run-up to St. Patrick’s Day, with the Student Union President at Queen’s University Belfast writing:

If you happen to be in the University area over the weekend please remember your responsibilities as a member of the South Belfast Community and be aware that as a student of Queen’s you fall under the auspices of the University’s Conduct Regulations.

This type of advisory email followed several years of well-publicised displays of disorderly conduct among a select group of young adults in student housing areas of the city. Years past have seen excessive and unmoderated drinking lead to physical altercations, verbal abuse, graffiti and property damage, police involvement, and consequently the expulsion of several students from their respective university institutions.

As a result, this year students at Queen’s were given a 4-day weekend over St. Patrick’s Day, in the hope that a longer break would encourage some to travel outside the city or to return home, away from the influence of those who were most likely to cause public disturbances. This measure seems to have been relatively effective, with The Irish Times reporting:

A substantial police presence, together with a zero-tolerance approach to on-street drinking, appeared to keep the situation under control.

On Friday, eight people were arrested in the area for a range of anti-social behaviour. But by 9.30pm yesterday, the streets of the Holyland, although littered with broken glass, were quiet and virtually empty, with just a few house parties going on behind closed doors.

Unfortunately, 2012 has already seen alcohol-related tragedy among the youth community. In February, 20-year old Joby Murphy accidentally fell into the River Lagan due to poor safety measures at the Lagan Weir bridge.

Murphy had attended a Snow Patrol concert that same night, and then drank £1 vodka shots prior to his fall, leading to his father getting involved with a campaign to ban certain drinks promotions around the city, namely ones that offer ‘All You Can Drink’ deals at significantly reduced prices. Such deals are common in Belfast bars and clubs frequented by students, and it is thought that banning them would go some way to discouraging young adults from binge drinking.

However, some have criticised such a proposition for being an ineffective way to teach young adults about the dangers of alcohol. The general mentality is, if someone wants to find alcohol at a cheap price then they will not have to look very far to find some.

Facebook even offers ‘Dial A Drink’ services, where businesses will deliver alcohol straight to your doorstep without ensuring that no minors in the house will be drinking, so it is clear that Belfast, like so many other UK cities, has not yet figured out how to measurably regulate alcohol consumption among younger people.

Murphy’s father is still pushing ahead with hopes of making the Lagan Weir bridge more secure and better equipped to deal with accidental falls, but at the moment he seems to be one active voice facing a larger community deaf to the seriousness of this drinking subculture.

The article Problems Persist with Youth Drinking in Belfast appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Jack Daniel’s announces that it has started a “drinking school,” and it’s not what most folks will think it is. In fact, the “Jack Daniel’s Drinking School” is a new way to educate consumers about responsible consumption through an on-line based program (www.jackdanielsdrinkingschool.com) that provides helpful tips and reminders.

Jack Daniel’s is also debuting its new television campaign featuring two-time GRAMMY Award winners and multi-platinum artists Zac Brown Band sharing a message of loyalty and responsibility among friends and band members.

As part of a recently-formed partnership with Zac Brown Band, the Jack Daniel’s Drinking School will offer concertgoers the opportunity to register for free designated-driver rides to and from select Zac Brown Band concerts in cities across the U.S. through BeMyDD. To receive one of the 100 free rides per eligible concert market, consumers must watch one of a series of online videos featuring the Zac Brown Band reminding folks to enjoy themselves, but to also take care of themselves as well as those around them.

The videos are supplemented with information from leading expert organizations on responsible consumption and fighting drunk driving including The Century Council. Those who receive a free ride can also bring along up to three friends, ensuring the safety of many concertgoers as well as making the roads safer for others.

“Our emphasis on responsible consumption is incorporated into all of the ways we communicate with our friends across the country,” said Jack Daniel’s Senior Brand Manager Jennifer Powell. “The Jack Daniel’s Drinking School is a great vehicle for this message and further proof of how strongly we feel about responsibility.”

In addition to the free rides, the Jack Daniel’s Drinking School offers concert attendees at select Zac Brown Band tour stops the opportunity to register as a designated driver for the evening of the show. Upon arrival at the concert venue, registered designated drivers can stop by a predetermined site to receive a Jack Daniel’s Drinking School keychain and armband signifying their willingness to get their friends home safely following the show.

“Our partnership with Jack Daniel’s provides concertgoers with a responsible solution to safely get to the show and back home,” said BeMyDD President and CEO Arthur Simanovsky. “By letting BeMyDD do the driving, consumers can enjoy the evening with the peace of mind that they’ve made the responsible choice.”

In addition to the Drinking School, Jack Daniel’s is launching a national television campaign which includes a spot in which Zac Brown reminds viewers to “Protect Your Band” just as he and the rest of his crew feel it’s their responsibility to take care of each other. The spot includes scenes of the band playing together and conveys a feeling of loyalty for those around you and love for what you do.

For more information about the Jack Daniel’s Drinking School and to complete your coursework, visit www.jackdanielsdrinkingschool.com. Remember, limits and restrictions apply.

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