STUDENTS from across Surrey are getting a hard-hitting lesson on the risks of underage drinking as part of an international programme reaching 135,000 students – All Hallows School in Farnham was the first step of the Surrey leg.

Pupils watched a play about a group of friends who found themselves in trouble as a result of their misuse of alcohol. The performance was followed by an interactive workshop where they were invited to probe the cast on any of the issues brought up during the play and to explore the consequences portrayed by the actors.

This performance was part of ‘Smashed’, an alcohol education and awareness programme sponsored by Diageo and delivered by Collingwood Learning. This year sees the tour appear in 90 UK schools over nine weeks.

‘Smashed’ was developed in consultation with young people and has been designed to engage with pupils in a different way to typical school lessons.

It combines the use of drama with interactive workshops to help young people understand the facts, causes, and consequences surrounding alcohol misuse and the risks of underage drinking.

The ‘Smashed’ Project is set to visit 12 countries over 12 months in 2017, with more than 130,000 12 to 16 year olds being taught about the risks and potential consequences of underage drinking, in a captivating and engaging way.

Joining the list of countries to welcome ‘Smashed’ this year include the Philippines, China, Nigeria, Indonesia and Cambodia.

The UK is making progress to reduce levels of underage drinking. The number of boys and girls aged eight to 15 that have reported drinking alcohol in 2015 is currently at its lowest level since records began.

There is still work to be done however, with recent Government figures showing that young people are more likely to drink once a week as they enter their early teens, compared to before they reach adolescence.

This is why ‘Smashed’ is targeting 12 to 16 year olds.

Chris Simes from Collingwood Learning, said: “We are thrilled to once again deliver the Smashed Project to schools in the UK. The powerful theatre piece and interactive workshop have been shown to significantly increase student awareness of the risks of underage drinking.

“The programme supports schools in delivering vital personal, social and health education.

“Thanks to the sponsorship we receive, the Smashed Project has become an international education movement, our goal is to break the culture of underage drinking and help young people develop responsible attitudes towards alcohol.”