GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Due to the rise in alcohol use by children under 18, the Eastern Cape Liquor Board in partnership with the Eastern Cape Legislature, have rolled out the Learner Ambassador programme at 72 schools in the Eastern Cape.
The board lawmakers are concerned about the rise in underage drinking and its effect on children's health and society in general.
The campaign was launched in Graaff-Reinet at Spandau Secondary School last week to raise awareness of the dangers of underage drinking by promoting peer-to-peer education.
The programme involves youngsters working with other youngsters to bring about positive behaviour.
Young people are selected as mentors and trained to function as part of a support system for other young people.
An advantage of peer-to-peer education is that learners will hopefully feel more comfortable when someone like them talks to them.
Using alcohol at a young age can impact a teenager's brain development, sleep, delay puberty, lessen concentration, and alcohol abuse at a young age can cause liver disease, heart problems, high blood pressure, and even certain types of cancer.
The nominated learner ambassadors will undergo training to equip them with mentoring and peer education skills.
They will also be provided with various forms of promotional material to assist them in driving the campaign within their schools.
Photo: Neco Bokwe
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