Getting wasted is a waste

“Aye it’s a big problem because people start drinking, then people start fights, then people get hurt. It’s just not a nice thing.” Finnoulla (16)

Time for a drink ?Binge and underage drinking continues to be a big problem among young people in Derry and it’s showing no sign of going away, say tee-totallers and drinkers.

This doesn’t mean that we stop trying to dispose of the blue-bag culture closing in on the city.“We just have to try harder” say concerned young and older people in Derry.

Headliners members joined Community Development Learning Initiative (CDLI) in their walkabout campaign around the city centre to try to make the public aware of the dangerous alcohol culture developing in the city. Every Saturday they do something different using blue bags as props and a minimalist and didactic approach to make the public aware of the damage alcohol can do to lives.

Every week they put various objects on trays such as paracetamol which symbolised the cure for hangovers and a stuffed teddy bear with a blue bag tied around its neck to represents suicides caused by drinking. And every time they walk through the streets they hope someone somewhere in the city will curb their drinking habits as a result of this.

Headliners members shadowed the group of young people and CDLI staff as they walked silently through the streets.It is important to state that the young people who took part in the street performance are not anti-drink; they are against the abuse of alcohol and self.We spoke to passers-by to get their views on the ‘drinking culture’ that threatens to turn the ‘maiden city’ into the ‘blue bag city’.

Not one of those we spoke to were under any illusions that come 10 o’clock that night there would be less young people hitting the bottle up the walls.But all agreed that at the problem needs to be taken out of the shadow of the city’s walls and into the glare of the main street if it is ever to be solved.

Everyone welcomed the walkabout and agreed that we need to do all we can to keep raising awareness in the city in as many different ways as possible.

A step in the right directionHere’s what people had to say:

Do you drink and if so why?

Kieran (17) said: "My philosophy is to go out at night and whatever I’m offered or take is just a cheeky bonus so I would drink as a social liberation but I wouldn’t actually drink as an objective."

Donna (39) who doesn’t drink said: “I can enjoy myself without it” while Jill (25) drinks because “it’s normal”

Sinead (15) said: “No I don’t drink because it’s bad for you and my mummy would kill me.”

Barry (18) drinks to ‘enhance' his night. He adds: “If you didn’t drink I would find the night a bit boring because I have had nights when I didn’t drink and they are not as good craic."

The fact that she’s underage and can't afford it puts Becca (15) 'off drink'.Claire (60) stressed: "I have never tasted alcohol and I’m 60. I enjoy myself without it."

What are your views on what is happening in the city and what issues are arising?

Kieran says: “I think the city is rampant with everything. There is an atmosphere of fear sometimes at night. Its’ like a running battle. It’s one of the worst places but it’s also one of the best places because if you always have good friends around with you, you are always going to have a good time.”

Donna: "I think teenagers are drinking younger now and I don’t agree with it. It’s too accessible." Jill: “It can be a big problem here especially for guys. They spend all weekend in their houses drinking but it doesn’t mean it’s a problem. For some people it is an everyday problem.”

Finnoula: “Every year the age of young people drinking is lowering.”

Patrick: “It’s getting out of hand. There is gonna be more alcoholics." Sinead: “There are a lot of suicides and stuff like that and I don’t like that. “

Claire: “I think young people don’t know when to stop the drink now.”

What do you think you can do to change attitudes around alcohol?

Kieran: “I think if alcohol was introduced at an early age once the charm and ‘rebel’ appeal of alcohol goes away it will die out of the binging thing. It’s a way of rebelling against your parents and if you just give it to them it won’t be exciting anymore.”

Donna: “Through my family and friends hopefully I can set an example.” Jill: “It shouldn’t be sold to children. I know of a store who sells drink to children. They say do you have ID and when they say no they forgot it they still sell it to them. People definitely look older in Derry.

Finnoulla: “I don’t think I can do anything. I think it is up to the council to do something. It’s not up to us. They need more places to go because people just hang around here in the town and the drinking is getting worse." Sinead: “Tell people not to drink and tell their parents not to drink.”Barry: “Don’t buy it and put the prices up.”

Claire: “Show that you can go out and have a good time without it like I do.”

Do you think we have a problem here in the city in regards to an alcohol culture?

Kieran: “I think in alcohol cultures people go out with the sole aim of downing a half bottle just to see what happens.”

Donna: “Definitely yes.” Jill: “It looks like it especially on weekends.” Patrick: “Too much anti-social behaviour is going on because of alcohol.” Claire: “I think so yes. I think since the troubles started it’s more prominent or maybe it was always there I don’t know. You’re asking somebody who doesn’t drink.”

Headliners