The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has officially ended any future work with Drinkaware. The motion was passed without objection at USI National Council, held in the Dublin Institute of Technology on the 9th of November. The decision was not taken lightly, it has been discussed among Students’ Union Officers nation-wide for quite some time.
USI will develop a student alcohol awareness campaign independently through working with other bodies that are not funded by a self-regulating drinks industry.
USI President Joe O Connor, said:
“The ‘Arthurs Day’ festival by Diageo further deepened our concerns regarding the credibility of Drinkaware’s alcohol awareness campaign. Encouraging students to drink responsibly is still an encouragement for students to drink- regardless of how it’s qualified. Due to this, we have decided that it serves no purpose for USI to work with Drinkaware on any alcohol awareness campaigns”.
USI Deputy President and VP for Welfare Denise McCarthy, said:
“We are serious about tackling the enormous issues around alcohol abuse amongst young people in this country. Abuse of alcohol can lead to mental and physical health problems amongst other issues. USI want to ensure that students’ health is at the forefront of any campaigns we run/support in the future. Accordingly, It has been determined we are not best served doing that in partnership with Drinkaware”.
USI look forward to working independently with similarly positioned bodies and organisations as ourselves, in the future.
Notes:
Read the Irish Time’s coverage here and the letter sent to Meas chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan here.
Take part in the Newstalk Poll: Do you think alcohol awareness campaigns can be effective if funded by the alcohol industry? here.
For more information contact USI Communications and Research Executive Grainne O Reilly on 087-6776636 or 01-9052100