From the Department of Prevention of Addictions of the City Council of Dénia, through the UPCCA (Community Prevention Unit in Addictive Behaviors), have been carried out during the Festival of Dénia two prevention and risk reduction campaigns regarding alcohol abuse, after 2 years of absence due to the restrictions derived from the pandemic.
These two interventions have been developed together with the mobile disco in the Torrecremada area, where the youth population has been concentrated. This scenario has been chosen to reach and promote the participation of younger people. The results obtained during these campaigns are:
- 1. Campaign “Babies??? measure it!!! With 2 Dits from Front” carried out by the technical staff of the UPCCA and volunteers, in which 250 young people participated.
People who came to the stand were asked a series of questions related to alcohol consumption and it was explained how to measure consumption with SBU (Standard Beverage Unit) to differentiate between alcohol use and abuse and avoid the risks associated with consumption, especially in the younger population. Once this intervention was done, they were provided with a brochure with this information and a claim (t-shirt or backpack) was delivered with the slogan "With two fingers in front" and where it states the risk consumption measured with UBE.
This year a novelty was introduced: the delivery of bottles of water. Staying hydrated and being able to alternate possible alcohol consumption with non-alcoholic beverages is an important risk reduction guideline. From the UPCCA we want to thank the volunteers and collaborators who accompanied us: Tonecha, Verónica, Joana and Blai.
- 2. “Jo Trie Con 2 Dits de Front” campaign carried out by the entity E-Value and coordinated by the UPCCA, with the participation of 220 young people. In this intervention, youth were invited to complete a circuit with different tests or games in order to win a claim.
- Balance games to become aware of how consumption affects the body's physical and mental responses (especially reflexes and coordination).
- Measurement of alcohol rates in expired air and information on risk reduction strategies, alcohol metabolism, mixed drinks, polydrug use, driving...)
- Educational game for working on behaviors of respect, reinforcing that "no is no" and making it clear that consumption will never be an excuse.
- Game of questions about myths or erroneous beliefs that make it difficult to implement protection channels in the face of substance use.
- Area arranged so that the participants could build a preventive message, take a photograph and upload it to social networks.
The messages that were transmitted in each test were the following:
The objective of these campaigns is to offer clear, objective and realistic information on the use/abuse of substances and especially on alcohol, to demystify myths and erroneous beliefs and to reach young people with realistic messages, to reduce the risks associated with consumption and to favor healthy behaviors, responsibility and common sense in their decisions.
The UPCCA makes a more than positive assessment of the active participation of a total of 470 young people in the information stands of both preventive actions. Also, the impact created with these actions is valued at a total of about 600 young people.
In addition, to these two actions it is worth adding the “Risks, + fun” campaign carried out on July 7. The campaign materializes in exhibitors with an informative guide and risk reduction in drug use that have been distributed in the different nightlife venues in the town, reaching a total of 19 establishments.
This material will be exposed throughout the summer within the reach of the customers of the premises. The objective is to offer information on substances of use/abuse, effects and risks and influence the reduction of the risks associated with consumption in leisure spaces. The substances exposed in the guide are: tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens (mushrooms, LSD / tripi), ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, GHB, poppers, ketamine and scopolamine (burundanga).
