Alcohol abuse amongst youngsters has become a major concern:

“ Produced with the involvement of young people … tells the story of a disco that begins with convivial boozing but ends in tragedy. The programme avoids patronising lectures but provokes sympathetic thoughtful and lively argument.”

Times Educational Supplement

“A drama based around 7 scenes that can be paused for appropriate discussion … includes ideas for role play and other exercises… suitable for working with young people over 10 in youth groups, PSHE classes, drug teams, health promotion and police community departments.”

National Youth Agency

•  ‘24% of 11 to 15 year olds drink alcohol on a regular basis, the average weekly consumption among pupils who drink is 10.4 units (equivalent to 6 pints)

Over 50% of 15 year old boys drank regularly – average intake 14.5 units
(8 pints)'
Department of Health

•  ‘25% of all people arrested are drunk, 50% of all violent crime, 66% of suicide attempts and 75% of assaults are committed by people under the influence.'
World Health Organisation

•  ‘When we explained the figures to parents they were shocked. They didn't think it was their children.'
Schools Health Education Unit

Leigh Conroy and John Evans, two recovering alcoholics, were alarmed to see youngsters making the same mistakes they had made. They felt they had to do something. They therefore commenced a series of school talks to discuss openly the impact alcohol had had on their lives. The success of those talks led to the formation of ‘High & Dry' and to the making of this DVD to provide a unique insight into the problems associated with young people and alcohol. ‘Have a good time' was made with the help of young people for young people. Working with a drama group from a Suffolk High School , Leigh developed a programme revolving around a disco that goes terribly wrong. Although it clearly shows the consequences of abusing alcohol it does not ‘preach', ‘talk down' or say ‘don't drink' – major turn offs as far as teenagers are concerned!

‘It's (drinking) a rite of passage but young people have to have a sensible relationship with alcohol'

Alcohol Concern

The DVD can be shown complete or used as a series of scenes.

Each scene provides material to open up discussion on issues High & Dry found young people want to talk about.

Scene 1 – 4 minutes - Two hours before the disco - the lads are already drinking.

Scene 2 – 3 minutes - 13-year-old Mark already has a secret drink problem.

Scene 4 –
2 minutes - The night starts in earnest with a visit to Tommy's pub.

Includes a set of presenter notes providing additional information and facts plus a suggested presentation approach.

Why we made this video – a personal message.

To many people an alcoholic is a tramp on a park bench and for many that really is the end of the line. But where does it all start?

‘I drank alcoholically the very first time I walked into a pub aged 14. From then on I drank too much too often. I never drank spirits, only pints. I felt I didn't become ‘me' until I'd had a drink and although I could stop drinking, I couldn't stay stopped. For 25 years I was addicted to alcohol and didn't know it. Black outs were my horror and began on day one. Today I wake up with a smile simply because I can remember the night before. We made this because we wanted to show how easily it all starts and how it can happen to anyone.'

Leigh Conroy, actress, writer, director

Includes a training guide providing a transcript of the video, a suggested presentation approach and examples of questions to open discussion.