Sedqa, the National Agency Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, has launched its annual national multi-pronged campaign against excessive alcohol consumption. The main focus of this year’s campaign is the promotion of healthy alternative leisure, the agency said in a statement yesterday.

The campaign, entitled Sahhitna fuq Kollox (Health Above All), spans until December and will be particularly targeted towards 16-18-year-olds.

The main initiative of this campaign is the production of a Public Service Announcement portraying the negative consequences of excessive alcohol consumption on a group of youngsters. Net TV is sponsoring the airtime for this Public Service Announcement, which is being produced in collaboration with Media.link Communications.

Other initiatives to promote healthy leisure among young people include posters being put up in popular bars and party venues, cinema advertising, newly-printed material about the effects of alcohol, emphasis on dissemination of information and talks for young people within the community.

Sedqa announced that its Primary Prevention Team has embarked on this promotion of healthy leisure by collaborating with various local youth organisations including the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, the University Students’ Council and NSTS Student and Youth Travel Services. Together, they will be organising a number of talks, seminars and alternative leisure activities free from alcohol and substance abuse.

Jean-Claude Cardona, Sedqa’s operations director, said that it is through education and especially through the example set by parents and society in general, that young people may better understand how they can avert the risks of abuse. Such campaigns aim to assist all sections of the community, especially young people, to develop an understanding and a change in attitude and behaviour, which will enable them to minimise and possibly avoid alcohol-related harm.

The agency has also released a set of ethical guidelines specifically designed to address any individual, organisation, private or public entity responsible for the organisation of festivals where alcohol is consumed, including the popular wine and beer festivals.

Sedqa offers its services both within the community and in residential settings. People requiring help with problems related to alcohol or substance abuse may be referred or may refer themselves to these services. Alternatively one may access more information by calling Helpline 151 or by visiting Sedqa’s website www.sedqa.gov.mt.