PRESS RELEASE
SCOTTISH PRIMARY KIDS GET "HOOKED" WITH ONLINE DRUGS GUIDE LAUNCH
(Aberdeen, 24 th February 2006) A brand new online resource has been launched in Aberdeen today by theatre in education company, Live Wire Productions, to raise drug awareness among primary pupils across Scotland.
Funded by the Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund 2004/2005 and children's website, www.bizzikid.co.uk , "Watch Out! Drugs" is a colourful, interactive guide, suitable for children aged 10 years and above, containing:
• Games
• Fact Files on a variety of legal and illegal drugs
• An interactive Drugs Challenge Quiz
• Activity sheets to support teachers in the classroom
Children can access "Watch Out! Drugs" free of charge at www.bizzikid.co.uk.
"Watch Out! Drugs" has been designed to support "Hooked!", an innovative drug education musical resource for schools. Developed in partnership with Grampian Police and the Aberdeen City Joint Drug and Alcohol Team, Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund backing has ensured that every school in Scotland can receive a fully funded copy of the resource. Thousands of applications for "Hooked!" have already been received from schools, Local Education Authorities and Drug Action Teams for distribution later this term.
The Challenge Fund - an Executive awards scheme administered by Scotland Against Drugs - aims to unite the public, private and voluntary sectors in helping communities address the problems of drug misuse in Scotland at a grassroots level.
Vanessa Chew, Managing Director of Live Wire Productions, said, "The funding from the Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund has given every school in Scotland the opportunity to experience drug-related issues through interactive drama. We are delighted that, with the development of "Watch Out! Drugs", children with internet access at home will also have the chance to reinforce learning and deepen their understanding of the important issues while having fun with online games and activities."
Alistair Ramsay MBE, Director of Scotland Against Drugs, said "The Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund supports innovative projects that address the problems of drugs misuse in Scotland. "Hooked!" raises awareness amongst young people moving from Primary to Secondary school of the life choices they will face, such as succumbing to peer pressure and experimenting with drugs. By increasing access to information and services, we're encouraging this vulnerable age group to make informed decisions."
Schools can find out how to register for their fully funded copy of "Hooked!" by contacting Live Wire Productions, tel 01224 592777, fax 01224 592778, email: hooked@livewireproductions.org.uk .
Ends
For more information contact Lavinia Carr on 0790 000 6208.
email: lavinia@laviniacarr.com
or Vanessa Chew, Live Wire Productions, on 01224 592777.
Email: vanessa@livewireproductions.org.uk .
Notes to Editors:
1. Live Wire Productions (est 1994), an award winning Aberdeen based theatre in education company, is a unique resource for schools, the community and organisations seeking to improve understanding and assist in changing attitudes through drama and music, reaching audiences of over 15,000 last year alone.
2. www.bizzikid.co.uk is an online resource that is free for kids, fun for kids and safe for kids. Bizzikid.co.uk includes information on all curricular areas, including sports, citizenship, science, art and crafts, music and history. The site provides its own educational content and also links to numerous other child-friendly sites that have been vetted by bizzikid.co.uk and arranged in clear categories so that children can use their time on the internet effectively.
• The "Hooked!" participative drug education through drama project is supported by the Scottish Drugs Challenge Fund 2004/2005 launched by the Scottish Executive in November 2004. Criteria for funding were based on considerable levels of community involvement and the strong levels of relevance the project theme has in relation to drug misuse.
• Live Wire Productions produces the publication in partnership with the Grampian Police and the Aberdeen City Council.
• Private sector funding included contributions from Lavinia Carr Corporate Communications (public relations), Aberdeen-based primary children's website www.bizzikid.co.uk (CD-ROM and class activities) and Fresh Ideas (CD-ROM).