Young Social Innovators target alcohol misuse

A CAMPAIGN to combat alcohol misuse among young people which included an alternative youth centre won top prize at the Young Social Innovators (YSI) Showcase yesterday.

Moyne Community School, from Moyne, Co Longford, won the YSI Award for their ‘Don’t Drink ‘til you Drop - Think and Stop!’ project.

The teenagers researched the effects of alcohol misuse, raised awareness of the issues and proposed solutions, including a model for an alternative youth centre which could be replicated across the country.

St Mary’s School for Deaf Girls in Dublin was awarded joint second place in the awards for a project called ‘Deaf Proud’ which aimed to improve communication between the deaf and hearing communities. They shared second place with Coláiste Daibheid, Cork, where students designed a project called ‘Lest they be Forgotten’ to raise awareness of worldwide injustice and to remember victims of terrorism.

Loreto Secondary School in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, were third with their project ‘Are You Big Into Starving Yourself?’ which raised awareness on anorexia, bulimia and obesity, and encouraged healthy eating in and outside schools.

Minister of State Noel Ahern said: “The quality of life in our society, and the ultimate health of our communities, depends on the willingness of people to come forward and become involved and active in their local communities.

“Communities that are pro-active attract willing activists. The Young Social Innovators is a perfect example of the programmes that we need, as a society, to undertake.

“Establishing a social conscience in our teenagers means that we are growing a cadre of volunteers for the future.”

The awards came at the end of the two-day showcase at Citywest, which was attended by more than 1,800 students from 74 schools who exhibited 121 projects addressing social needs.

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, chairwoman of the Young Social Innovators, said the commitment and dedication of the students to their projects was “inspirational”.

The scheme was held regionally for three years on a pilot basis and was launched by the Taoiseach in September 2004 as a nationwide programme for transition-year classes.