North-east teenagers have snubbed an initiative aimed at turning the spotlight on their drinking habits.
Organisers, the Buchan Alcohol Project, had hoped to canvas the views of youngsters at an NHS Grampian-backed exercise at a Peterhead nightclub, which was scheduled to take place last night.
But the event was scrapped at the last minute, due to a lack of interest from local youngsters.
The scheme was aimed at teenagers aged 14 to 18. They were to be asked about their own drinking behaviour and attitudes to alcohol.
Feedback from the event would have been used to influence local support services, including NHS Grampian. It was hoped the promise of an under-18s disco and a “world cafe” atmosphere would have enticed more youngsters to attend.
Last night, an NHS Grampian spokesman said: “The event has been cancelled because the numbers simply weren’t as good as we had hoped.
“I don’t know if the event has been cancelled or will be postponed.”
Peterhead North and Rattray councillor Anne Allan, who is chairwoman of the Buchan Community Safety Group, said: “This is very disappointing.
“This was to be a fact-finding exercise to learn more about local youngsters and their views on alcohol.
“We had hoped it would have been very informative and useful for the agencies and support groups.
“And we thought youngsters would want to come along to the nightclub.”
The exercise was also backed by Grampian Police, who hoped it would help address the level of local alcohol-related problems among youngsters.
A force spokesman said: “Anecdotal and analytical evidence suggests that alcohol is a significant factor with regards to those responsible for crime becoming involved in antisocial behaviour.
“The views of young people are essential to allow effective strategies to be implemented to ensure that Aberdeenshire remains a safe place to live and work while tackling the wider implications of alcohol-related crime.”
He said officers would have attended the event.
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