Party crashers - NRSC teams up with ATI for road safety message

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

For the diehard party people, all roads lead to Negril and, to a lesser extent, Ocho Rios, over the Emancipation and Independence holidays. In the last few years the all-inclusive party weekend, with a season armband facilitating entry to multiple events, has grown noticeably - and, naturally, so has the alcohol consumption at the drinks-inclusive events.

This year, for its fourth staging, Dream Weekend takes place from August 1-6 in Negril, Westmoreland, eXtreme Wet and Wild, Daydreams, Yush, Smirnoff Xclusive, Twisted Spiritz and Beer Vibes among its noted parties. Appleton Temptation Isle (ATI), which started in 2001, takes place in Negril from August 3-6. Its events are Naked, Wildsides, Colours, Stages, Officially Diagnosed, The Official and Original Water Party and Mariposa.

Making its debut is the Rum-Bar Rum Tropical
Island Weekend, also from August 3-6 in Negril. Its six parties are
Impy Skimpy, Pretty in Pink, Marco Polo, Rhythm and Booze, Chug It and
Heatwave.

In Ocho Rios, the SPF Weekend runs from
August 3 to 6.

Alcohol in the mix

It
all adds up to a lot of parties, a lot of alcohol, a lot of excited
young people and wide, smooth roads leading into and out of Negril - a
mixture that has long caught the attention of the National Road Safety
Council (NRSC).

Executive director of the NRSC, Paula
Fletcher, said that the party weekends are "a big concern". So much so
that "a few years ago we introduced a visual-impact type of message to
young people". That message is stark - a wrecked vehicle with the
connection made between driving under the influence of alcohol and
death.

The NRSC also communicates in the accustomed
manner of the party setting, as Fletcher said, "We have young ladies
handing out fliers. We tackle drinking and driving
mostly."

This year the organisation is working mostly
with ATI, pushing the 'Don't Drink and D(r)i(v)e' message. It is not the
first time the message against intoxicated driving is being facilitated
by ATI, as Fletcher said, "we did it last year". However, she said
"this year it will be on a bigger scale".

Arrangements
have been made to have a strong presence at four of the weekend series'
events. The NRSC will have a "very centrally placed" booth from which
to disseminate information. It will also provide "a seating area for
people to chill out a bit, beside a detox booth where they can have soup
and water. They can have a little time to let the alcohol work through
the system".

JUTC transportation

Another party-friendly way that the
NRSC is carrying the message within the chosen ATI parties is body
stickers as well as giveaways. Fletcher said that this year the
organisers are making transportation available from Kingston, through
the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, which is intended to reduce the
number of persons driving to Negril. "There is an option to take a bus
that will take you to and from safely," Fletcher
said.

Fletcher emphasised that "these things cost
money", so although Total Jamaica is a sponsor "we have to be very
selective". The hope is that the persons who attend parties where the
NRSC has a presence will carry it with them to other events. "We want to
make it strong around the beginning of the parties for the summer to
get the message through," Fletcher said.

"We are going
to the young
people."

auto@gleanerjm.com