SECONDARY Schools across the county are to receive a new educational DVD encouraging young people to reflect on the dangers of underage experimentation with alcohol.

Created by Essex County Council Trading Standards, with assistance from alcoHELP, Chelmer Valley High School, Healthy Schools and Essex Police, the resource is designed for use by teachers of 11-14 year olds.

Chelmer Valley High School students were selected to contribute to the resource having won a short film competition last year, highlighting the consequences of underage drinking. The DVD uses content from their film and the students have contributed to the teaching materials which aim to equip young people with the skills and strategies they need to be safe.

The county council’s cabinet member with responsibility for Community Safety, Cllr Tracey Chapman, said: “The partnership between Trading Standards, AlcoHELP, Chelmer Valley High School, Healthy Schools and Essex Police is a great example of how different sectors can work together to create effective responses to the child safety issues posed by alcohol.”

Force Substance Misuse Officer Sgt Matt Bell said: “Essex Police is pleased to have been able to support this project.

“It’s a good example of the young people of Essex working together with their school, Trading Standards and the police to tackle an issue that impacts on the whole community.”

Head of Media Studies at Chelmer Valley High School, Gemma Peacock, said: “We feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have been a part of the ‘Consider the Consequences’ project and hope that the resource will be beneficial to all who use it.

“This resource does more than simply raise awareness with young people. It is created by young people, for young people, and challenges them in a style and format which they can relate to.”

The resource will be distributed free of charge to all secondary schools in Essex. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, or would like further information regarding the project, please e-mail Lynsey Yarnell at Lynsey.yarnell@essex.gov.uk.