Party Hard Stay Safe message for T in the Park revellers
Perth and Kinross Focus on Alcohol are launching their
summer alcohol awareness campaign at this year's T in the Park
festival (8th-10th July 2011).
The group, which is a sub-group of the Alcohol & Drugs
Partnership (ADP)* in Perth and Kinross, is using both volunteers
and social media to get across important safety messages to
festival goers.
Perth & Kinross Council Skillseekers are playing an important
part in this work, by handing out advice as well as
'PartyHardStaySafe' branded wristbands. Lewis Hepburn is leading
the Skillseeker group. He said: "To be involved at a large event
like T in the Park will provide my team with plenty of positive
experiences and by getting an important message across to the
festival-goers we hope they too will enjoy their time safely and
responsibly."
Spreading the message
Social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, is being used for
the first time at this event to get our message across to more
people. Search for 'partyhardstaysafe' on both for regular updates
with information and some competitions.
Festival goers can have a great time if they follow some simple
advice, so an e-guide, 'What Makes Good T' can be downloaded at www.pkc.gov.uk/partyhardstaysafe
The guide and other updates aim to let people know about some key
safety messages - many of which are gleaned from a recent
survey of 1,600 festivalgoers, for example:
* 75% bring water.
* 71% stick with their friends.
* 66% keep a safe mobile number.
* 59% bring sunscreen.
* 72% don't drive home.
The messages are intended to encourage people to look after
themselves and their friends at the event.
Encouraging people to have fun but stay safe
Liam McLaughlin from Perth and Kinross Focus on Alcohol
commented: "Many thousands of people descend on Balado, Kinross
during the weekend of T in the Park and many of them see alcohol as
a key part of their enjoyment of the weekend. We want people to
have a great safe and brilliant time and have produced messages
that we hope will support this."
Tayside Police Chief Superintendent Roddy Ross, chair of the Focus
on Alcohol Group said "Every year a small number of people get
themselves into trouble at T in the Park because they don't follow
simple advice - look after yourselves and each other and make
it a weekend to remember for all the right reasons."
Bill Nicoll, chair of Perth & Kinross Alcohol and Drugs
Partnership said, "T in the Park is Scotland's largest outdoor
music event and draws crowds from all over the country. We are
using social media as a way of engaging with festival goers in a
positive way and providing them with key safety tips for staying
safe throughout the weekend."
"This is Scotland's gold standard music event and the support of DF
Concerts is important to the work that we are undertaking in Perth
and Kinross."
*ADPs (Alcohol & Drug Partnerships) are multi-agency
strategic partnerships tasked to identify and co-ordinate local
action and priorities on alcohol and substance misuse. Major
partners include local councils, NHS, Police, Prison, Fire and
Rescue and the voluntary sector.
