Phone alerts get cocaine warning over to clubbers

Published on Thursday 15 May 2008 10:28

A MOBILE phone campaign to warn clubbers and pub-goers about the dangers of cocaine has been hailed a success and could now be rolled out across the UK.

Action on Drugs and Alcohol in Edinburgh and Crew 2000 piloted the Chemical Romance scheme in February.

Text messages were sent to people via Bluetooth technology installed at 22 bars, pubs and clubs in the Capital. Over ten days, 1359 people were given advice on cocaine and how to seek further advice and support.

Experts believe text messages are more effective than handing out leaflets as they are not so easily lost.

It is now hoped the idea will be picked up by other cities and used in pubs, clubs and festivals across the country.

Crew 2000 team leader Matt Straw said: "The potential for using this type of messaging to reach large numbers of people such as in pubs or at big events like festivals is huge.

"Another added effect was that some people reported that they had sent on the images and messages to friends and family, meaning that the number of people who potentially received the messages was even greater."

Tom Wood, chairman of Action on Alcohol and Drugs in Edinburgh, added: "It's second nature for us to take our phones with us when we go out, so sending messages to phones makes sense.

"We were delighted when we got the figures back showing just how many people had accepted the message.

"I think the acceptance rate here shows that Chemical Romance was definitely worth trialling."