Changing attitudes towards underage drinking

CHEERS: In action during a performance of Smashed last year are, from left,Troy Vandergoes, Carrisse Utai and Kieran Milton. Analysis of data gathered before and after each performance —135, at 94 schools, to 20,463 students nationwide — shows greater understanding of the issues surrounding underage drinking. Picture supplied

The theatrical education programme Smashed, staged at secondary schools around the country, helped many Year 9 students determine to wait until they are 18 to drink alcohol.

This was one finding from an analysis of data gathered before and after the production.

In 2019 Smashed was performed at 94 schools, including Gisborne Girls' High, Gisborne Boys' High and Lytton. In the 135 performances, a total of 20,463 students saw it.

The play is about a group of young friends who get into trouble as a result of a drinking session, and is followed by an interactive workshop.

It targets Year 9 students, but conversations with Gisborne teens of various year levels revealed a spectrum of attitudes towards alcohol.

One Year 9 student who saw the production said he did not drink anyway but many of his peers did.

“A lot of kids my age are into drinking in a big way. Mainly it's girls,” he said.

A 19-year-old boy said many girls who had seen the play had not changed their attitude towards alcohol usage.

“It's more an air of indifference. That's blunt but that's how it is.”

A home-schooled 18-year-old girl who drank only socially said many Gisborne teens drank because there was not much to do in such a small town.

“You sit in your room, play games, go for a skate or drink. A lot of kids are drinking in their homes so it's normal.”

A 17-year-old girl who said she was a moderate drinker said a binge drinking culture existed in Gisborne.

“But it's not like I know anyone who is doing it in great amounts.”

Peer behaviour was a significant influence said a 17-year-old boy.

“It depends who you hang out with. If you see a lot of people doing it you're more likely to do it.

“Almost everyone I know binge drinks at a party. It's just what you do in Gisborne.”

Another 17-year-old girl said everyone she knew “gets hammered”.

“It depends on what you do when you get hammered.”