An exciting new approach to reducing alcohol harm is happening in Porirua these coming holidays... Young people begining a process of teaching adults about alcohol.

Film maker and artist Barry Thomas is making a series of short films with young people aged 13 to 18 about the young people’s experiences of  the impacts of alcohol in their lives. That’s the first phase – up to 20 short films are then screened back to the whole community and a series of screenings and interactive meetings will see the young people actively engaging in the war on alcohol by using the dvds to improve alcohol attitudes and behaviour in the district’s adult population.

This is a completely new approach and follows Thomas’ long passion for youth and social film making. His work of recent years includes 4 years film making with youth at risk in the UK and Child Friendly Cities styled initiatives here in NZ where he has initiated young people to have a stronger voice in determining planning of community assets, - a community centre in the Aro Valley and a playground at local flats.

“Now we have the opportunity to do something strong and positive about one of society’s greatest issues – alcohol.  It’s a perfect project for me – working with teenage mothers, a wide cultural cross section and very supportive community – what could be better... I mean what would it be like if this initiative became the trigger to affect the kind of change we have seen in drink drive behaviour over recent years? I see it as 'art framing the elephant in the room' - I relish the opportunity to affect change in these kinds of area through art. Some of the stories will be claymated over - to keep participants safe others doco, other drama, dance, and music vids. I can't wait”

Project manager Andrea Boston of Regional Public Health – a member of the Porirua Alcohol and Drug Cluster who are steering the project – says “We are using both this creative approach assisted with a research model to track our affects. It is certainly a bold approach with 60 young people making – in their own languages – music, claymation, documentary, drama – heart felt and even comedic films, true reflections on the impacts of alcohol, on them, their families communities.”