Rewind festival-goers get Party Hard Stay Safe message
Last updated | 28/07/2011
Perth and Kinross Focus on Alcohol will be in attendance with an alcohol safety message for Rewind Revellers at this year’s Rewind Festival at Scone Palace on 30th and 31st July 2011.
Focus on Alcohol, 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 Volunteers are playing an important part in this work, by handing out advice as well as 'PartyHardStaySafe' branded wristbands. Liam Mclaughlin from the Focus on Alcohol said “People within the age group likely to attend festivals like Rewind are as much at risk of suffering problematic alcohol use as younger adults. The recent issues raised by concertgoers elsewhere in the UK, demonstrate that alcohol can and does affect more mature festival attenders.”
Dr Peter Rice, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland said “Following recent major concerts, NHS staff in Manchester reported over 80 additional A&E attendances and over 600 ambulance service incidents related to the concerts and most of this work was alcohol related. An A&E attendance isn’t a sign of a good night out and concert goers, promoters and alcohol retailers all have responsibilities here.”
Be aware of alcohol consumption
People should be aware of the amounts of alcohol they consume and be aware the effects of consuming alcohol over an event which can last a longer time than their usual drinking time. This will be a very well run event so don’t spoil it for yourself and others by drinking to excess.
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 a Good Festival’ 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.
Aim to help people enjoy musical weekend safely
Liam McLaughlin from Perth and Kinross Focus on Alcohol commented: “Many thousands of people will be attending the Rewind Festival this weekend and many of them see alcohol as a key part of their enjoyment of the event. 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 ”Please follow the advice that is being produced by Focus on Alcohol, look after yourselves and each other and make it a weekend to remember for all the right reasons. Remember just because you are older does not mean that alcohol won’t have any negative effects on you and your friends.”
Bill Nicoll, chair of Perth & Kinross Alcohol and Drugs Partnership said, “There is a lot of evidence emerging around the incidence of alcohol consumption amongst our more mature citizens. This can arise from people having not attended a music event for a while, or people overdoing themselves at these events. Whatever the reasons, we should all be concerned about the harmful effects of alcohol, particularly with the growing awareness of the effects of alcohol on this age group, and the consequences of emergency care or admission to hospital. We know that working with people within the Whole Population Approach, supported by the Scottish Government and by using new ways to engage with people has the support of the Alcohol & Drug Partnership.”
*ADP’s (Alcohol & Drug Partnerships) are a multi-agency strategic partnership 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.
