YWCA of Greater Wellington are piloting a programme in three Wellington schools during 2011.
The programme aims to:
- Achieve moderate use of alcohol by those young women who choose to drink.
- Provide strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm.
The programme includes:
- Four x 1 hour student sessions
- One x 1 hour parent/caregiver session
Student session 1: Know your mates – The social behavior of young women is influenced by the group they choose to socialise with.
Student session 2: Know your limits - It is generally accepted that low-risk use of alcohol has a place in our society. The question for young women who choose to drink is – how much is enough?
Student session 3: Navigate when things go wrong - Social situations, especially where alcohol is involved, have the potential to raise the risk of violence. Young women need to interpret these situations, recognise the warning signs of trouble and respond appropriately to avoid or defuse the potential for violence or physically protect themselves and others.
Student session 4: Set up the environment for a good time - This theme brings together the self knowledge and ability that young women have acquired from the sessions, to engineer a safe, social environment in which she and her peers can have fun.
Prior to the programme, parents and caregivers are invited to attend a one hour session from which they can:
- Find out about the content of the programme
- Understand their role and steps they can undertake to limit the risk of alcohol abuse by young women.