JUNIOR CERTIFICATE students feel they have a right to celebrate and get drunk on results night, it was said yesterday.
Francis McDaid, spokesman for the National Parents’ Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges, said increasing numbers of young people were participating in underage bingedrinking, especially on occasions such as receiving exam results.
“Parents have a genuine concern about the Junior Cert students going out celebrating and availing of alcohol,” he said.
Mr McDaid was speaking following the start of a nationwide campaign to promote alcohol- and drug-free events on the Junior Cert results night.
The “Positive Alternatives” campaign follows research published by the Health Service Executive in May which found that 30 per cent of Irish teenagers got drunk on a regular basis. A number of discos for young people, organised by the No Name Club, will take place following the release of the Junior Cert results on September 10th.
“The No Name Club enables young people to organise and enjoy positive alternatives to alcohol and drug-centred activities,” said Martin Ryan, chief executive of the club.
Katelyn Divilly, a fifth-year student at Presentation College Headfort in Co Galway who will receive her Junior Cert results next week, said: “A lot of my friends drink and I used to feel peer pressure to do so, but after joining the No Name Club I have the confidence to say no.”
The No Name Club is run by and for young people, with more than 10,000 teenagers taking part in club events each year.