Kids' comic a winner » Education » 24dash.com

Move over Spiderman, Beano and Roy of the Rovers – a comic that was designed and written by students from Airedale High School has not only proven to be a favourite with readers throughout the area but shows that a partnership between NHS Wakefield District and Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) works.

3,000 comics were printed last year and distributed throughout the Airedale area after WDH Community and Alcohol Development Worker Andy Simms challenged 14 and 15-year old Airedale students to come up with a way to publicise the dangers of underage drinking.

Overall, three comics were produced using a mix of photography and graphic design with the students themselves appearing as characters in stories that were based on real life experiences.

Speaking at a presentation ceremony where NHS Wakefield District Chair Roger Grasby gave specially mounted framed copies of the comics to WDH Chief Executive Kevin Dodd, Andy Simms said the comic had received a great response from local teenagers.

“By working together, WDH and NHS Wakefield District have helped to raise awareness about the damage that alcohol causes.

“Speaking with the youngsters that made the comic I know that they are very aware of the long-term damage that alcohol bingeing can cause.”

Roger Grasby said: “Alcohol is a big problem in this area, as it is everywhere else in the country. We have figures that show between one in four and one in two 15 to 16-year olds have binged on alcohol. They need to know that drinking like that at this age means they are 50% more likely to have serious liver damage by the age of 30. This comic goes a way to addressing this problem.”

Kevin Dodd said: “I am pleased that we can be part of a groundbreaking collaboration and do something practical to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol abuse. In a climate where budgets are being reduced, partnerships like this not only overcome financial constraints but also get results. This is great work by Andy Simms.”

Nationally, alcohol abuse is a serious problem – 33,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, while one in three adults in the UK are at risk from alcohol-related liver disease.

In January 2009, WDH joined forces with NHS Wakefield District to employ Andy as a locally-based specialist who would address residents’ drink problems – and ever since his appointment he’s been working hard to help tenants get back on the road to recovery.

“Along with denial, there’s a basic lack of awareness amongst most people about how alcohol affects peoples’ lives – some people think alcohol should be re-classified as a Class ‘A’ drug alongside heroin… it can be that harmful and destructive.”

Andy’s role with WDH involves many alcohol-related tasks, including making initial contact with prospects, diagnosing the extent of their problem and passing them onto suitable agencies.

“My job involves many different ways of dealing with alcohol problems,” Andy explains. “A lot of educating and intervening… everything from talking to the owners of off-licences about selling alcohol to minors, talking to children, relapse preventions, and getting former drinkers spending their time constructively.

“Helping people to realise they can have useful lives and get back into employment is one way of staying off the drink.”

The good news is that due to the success of Andy’s role, WDH and NHS Wakefield District have employed five Health Inequality workers who will, among their other duties, build on his good work.

“WDH can now offer tenants more chances of recovery,” enthuses Andy. “There’s definitely good things happening in our area.”