SCHOOL pupils in the north have become the first to experience a global programme dedicated to supporting them in resisting the peer pressure of underage drinking.
The Smashed Live Virtual Tour, which is being streamed into classrooms, aims to reach 4,500 young people aged between 11 and 14.
Education Minister Peter Weir joined Year 8 pupils at Ashfield Boys High School for one of the world's first performances.
The programme has been running for five years in Northern Ireland and is traditionally delivered live..
In 2021, Smashed has been updated to replicate the interactive excitement of a live theatrical performance and workshop in a format that allows engagement `in school' in a Covid-safe way.
Led by Collingwood Learning and sponsored by Diageo Northern Ireland, Smashed educates young people on the dangers of underage drinking in a way that is creative, engaging and hard-hitting.
The performances which are being live streamed from a purpose built studio space, seek to empower young people by equipping them with the information, awareness and confidence to make responsible choices around alcohol.
Within the virtual performance, pupils will experience a live theatre production presented by professional actors accompanied by interactive workshops, evaluation and teaching resources for schools, which have been endorsed by The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations, and Assessment.
Smashed is now live in 25 countries and has reached almost 1 million young people globally.
Claire Hutchinson, Corporate Relations Manager for Diageo Northern Ireland, said there had been an overwhelming response from young people and teachers since Smashed was first introduced.
"This last year has been like no other and the challenges of Covid have highlighted the need for all of society to be alive to, and help address, the challenges, needs and expectations of young people," she said.
"It is for these reasons that we are especially pleased that Northern Ireland is hosting the first ever virtual Smashed series reaching a further 4,500 students and ensuring that the programme can be delivered in a way that provides the impact, relevance and engagement of a live performance. We are delighted that through this programme and our current activity we will have reached over 50,000 pupils in Northern Ireland over the past five years with our messages of positive drinking."
Mr Weir said he fully supported the programme.
"This important programme, which is aimed at the prevention of underage drinking, educates our young people about the dangers associated with alcohol misuse and providing them with information, awareness, and confidence to make responsible choices around alcohol," he said.
"The executive places huge importance on tackling the issue of alcohol misuse and programmes such as Smashed have a very positive impact not only on our young people’s lives but also on our local communities and wider society throughout Northern Ireland."
