A campaign to remind students during Fresher’s 2015 to drink less and enjoy more has been given focus in partnership with Cardiff Met Students’ Union.
A campaign to remind students during Fresher’s 2015 to drink less and enjoy more has been given focus in partnership with Cardiff Met Students’ Union.
The Know the Score initiative was launched by South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael and Chief Constable Peter Vaughan to highlight the consequences of excessive drinking.
It has a simple message for the public: Know the score – drink less, enjoy more.
The campaign also is associated to the Rugby World Cup and backed by the Welsh Rugby Union.
According to Public Health Wales, 18-25 year olds are most at risk of becoming influenced or affected by excessive alcohol consumption and crime related to it.
The campaign also supports bar staff and licensed premises to be confident in refusing to break the law by serving people who are clearly drunk. Many people are currently unaware that it is illegal to buy alcohol for a friend who is drunk, and that they could be fined up to £1,000.
Mr Michael said: “For many students, coming to live and study within South Wales is a new and exciting chapter of their lives. Sometimes many students can get carried away and forget what is important.”
Know the Score will continue to give messages to the public during events when increased alcohol consumption is likely – such as big sporting events and Fresher’s when students descend on town and city centres across South Wales. The public are encouraged to support the campaign by taking part in the responsible drinking debate on social media, using #drinklessenjoymore, and by thinking about their own alcohol intake.
South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Lewis said: “We want students to go out, enjoy themselves but drink responsibly and play their part in reducing levels of alcohol-related crime and disorder.”
President of Cardiff Met Students’ Union, Stefan Kelly said: “We are pleased to be involved in this campaign to promote the very important message to all of our students that alcohol can be enjoyed in moderation. The start of the university term is an exciting time for our student community at Cardiff Met but we will be reminding all students to be responsible and stay safe when drinking socially.”
The Know the Score campaign will continue throughout the year however focusing on Christmas and Six Nations.