Group warns against underage drinking in educational institutions

As concerns grow over underage drinking, especially among young students in higher institutions, the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG), has disclosed that its ‘Smashed Project,’ advocacy against underage alcohol drinking, has impacted over 65,000 adolescents in 35 institutions across the country in the last five years.

BSG Chairman, Baker Magunda, stated this at the launch of the fourth edition of the smashed programme in Abuja, as part of its renewed commitment to addressing the menace of underage drinking in Nigeria.

Smashed project is a programme of BSG, an umbrella body for leading brewing companies in Nigeria, who are members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). They include, Guinness, Nigeria Breweries and Ab-In Bev. 

Smashed is a global project that started in 2005, with the aim of using drama and theatre to help adolescents understand the dangers of alcohol to their health.

Speaking, Magunda noted that the renewed effort is aimed at furthering the objective of the Smashed project in line with global strategy to reduce the harmful effects of underage consumption of alcohol.

“Every time young people experience the core messages of the smashed project through drama, it sticks because the message is clear and it also makes them avoid the social pressures of trying alcohol before they are of age. At BSG, we are committed to this and we will continue to invest in this programme,” Magunda said.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who was represented by Dr. Apeh Andrew, said the government, commercial enterprises and the entire citizenry have a social obligation to make a positive impact on the society. 

Adamu noted that the issue of underage alcohol consumption requires interventions through moral education to instill the right values, principles and discipline in children from an early age.

“We are proud to be associated with the project and we see this as an innovative thing in the social contract between the government, BSG and Nigerians. We encourage more private sector businesses to tow this line of innovation as an effective means of delivering socially impacting initiatives.”

One of the high points of the event was the drama presentation by the Thespian Theatre Group highlighting the negative impact of underage drinking and how alcohol intake can affect emotional and psychological state of youths.