Playin' It Safe

‘Wrap Up’ this Party Season

December 2009

At this time of year many young people are out celebrating and drinking. Because alcohol lowers a person’s inhibitions, some young people may take more risks with their sexual behaviour if they drink too much – this includes having sex when they might otherwise not. It also means that they are less likely to use a condom when they do have sex.

The new ‘Wrap Up’ campaign is the largest ever festive campaign in Worcestershire and is encouraging all teens to make sure they do not take risks with their sexual health whilst under the influence of alcohol throughout the party season.

Statistics show a marked peak in unplanned pregnancies during December and January. Research shows that 40% of sexually active young people have not used contraception on at least one occasion because they were under the influence of alcohol - opening them up to increased risk of unplanned pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). If they do decide to try to use a condom, being drunk means that they are more likely to put them on incorrectly.

The county-wide ‘Wrap Up’ campaign from Worcestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership and Worcestershire Drug and Alcohol Action Team uses high-impact imagery of a condom over an alcopop bottle. The campaign launches this week with wide-scale advertising on buses and the distribution of posters, toilet door stickers and thousands of ‘Wrap Up’ branded condoms across Worcestershire.

The materials encourage young people to not have sex before they are ready and to ensure that they use a condom correctly if they are sexually active, as it is the only safe form of protection against unplanned pregnancies and STIs.

Local support includes the Worcester Warriors Rugby Club, who will be promoting the campaign at their games and around Sixways Stadium until the end of January. An interactive email signposting to Playin’ It Safe has also been sent to thousands of school and college pupils.